Critical incident declared at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
More than 300 people attended Derriford Hospital as emergencies yesterday and nearly 200 of those needed admitting for care as inpatients
Last updated 7th Jan 2025
A critical incident has been declared at University Hospitals Plymouth due to "significant and rising demand for hospital care".
The NHS Trust said the number of people attending its emergency department and other emergency facilities is "higher than normal".
It said more than 300 people attended Derriford Hospital as emergencies yesterday and nearly 200 of those needed admitting for care as inpatients.
It adds that it is seeing a high number of older patients with respiratory problems exacerbated by the cold weather.
Message for patients
In a statement the Trust said: "By calling this critical incident, it triggers our system partners to work differently to support us in keeping patients safe.
"Our Emergency Department is currently very full and if you do not have an emergency or life-threatening condition, you may be redirected to other healthcare services.
"These include NHS 111, our Urgent Treatment Centre at the Cumberland centre, and our Minor Injury Units at Kingsbridge and Tavistock. You may also be advised to use local pharmacies or to contact your GP.
"Our colleagues are working hard to prioritise patients based on their clinical need and move patients to the right place for them as soon as possible.
"If you have a very serious or life-threatening emergency, we are here for you, but otherwise, if you need urgent care, we ask you please to call NHS 111 or use NHS 111 online."
"It's really important we make sure that the sickest patients are prioritised"
Darryn Allcorn, Chief Nurse at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said: "Our Emergency Department is there for life-threatening conditions and real emergencies.
"If you can use other services, such as NHS 111, pharmacy or your GP, please do so. If you do come to the Emergency Department and it is not an emergency or a life-threatening condition, then you may be redirected.
"We ask that at this time unless you are a carer or if the patient who is coming to the hospital is particularly distressed, that those who accompany patients do not to come into the Emergency Department. We need the seating spaces for patients to sit down and be comfortable.
"We ask that patients, visitors and families be kind to one another and continue to treat staff with respect during this extremely busy period."