Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust declares critical incident

A record number of patients going to A&E has led Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust to declare a critical incident.

The trust said the problems were being made worse through an increase in staff sickness.

One doctor from Brighton, who has worked in A&E for 22 years, said he has seen "nothing like this".

Medway Maritime Hospital and the South East Coast Ambulance Service both declared critical incidents this month.

A Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust spokesperson said it faced challenges in discharging patients who were well enough to leave hospital, to create capacity for patients coming in.

The trust took the decision to declare a critical incident in order to be able to take additional steps to maintain safe services for patients and cope with the growing pressures.

A spokesman said: "Due to the significant ongoing pressure on local NHS services, alongside the need to act swiftly to ensure patients continue to receive safe, high quality care, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has declared a critical incident."

In a further statement released on Thursday, deputy chief executive Paul Simpson said the trust had seen "some improvement" following a significant number of discharges.

"Preparations are being made to deal with the expected pressures over the weekend," he added.

Dr Robert Galloway, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, said hospitals were facing deep pressures.

The trust said essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them and those requiring urgent medical help should continue to come forward. All time critical and cancer surgery continue unaffected.

People should continue to attend planned appointments unless contacted.

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