Critical incident stood down at NHS trust

A critical incident at Nottingham hospitals has been stood down, but bosses are still warning that their emergency departments remain "very busy".

Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust - which runs Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital - declared a critical incident on Friday due to "significant pressures" on services.

Trust boss Tim Guyler said patients were experiencing "lengthy waits" due to an increase in older patients - who often needed longer stays in hospital - and patients with respiratory problems.

On Monday, Dr Mark Simmonds, critical care consultant, confirmed that the incident had been stood down due to an "improved position of flow through our hospitals".

NUH previously said there were many patients fit for discharge but the hospitals were unable to do so, and had urged families to pick up their relatives as soon as possible.

The trust said high demand was impacting the flow through its hospitals, leading to "unacceptable and lengthy waits on corridors in A&E [accident and emergency]".

On Monday, Simmonds said that the conditions had improved.

"We're pleased to say that Nottingham University Hospitals will be coming out of a critical incident," he said.

"We'd just like to say a massive thank you to our staff for the ongoing efforts to ensure that our patients get the best possible care they can, but also say an apology to those who have been caught up in this critical incident.

"Winter is not over yet and unfortunately our hospitals remain very, very busy, so please make sure you are using healthcare facilities in the best way possible and help us to help you."

NUH previously declared a critical incident in January due to winter pressures, which was stood down after two days.

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