A fifth NHS hospital trust has been forced to declare a critical incident within the last 24 hours, as a surge in winter illnesses and staff sickness creates overwhelming pressure on services.
Severe Pressure Leads to 'Unacceptable' Delays
Nottingham University Hospitals Trust confirmed it is facing "severe and sustained pressure" driven by rising patient numbers, winter infections like flu and norovirus, and high levels of staff absence. This combination has resulted in what trust chiefs describe as "significant and unacceptable" delays for patients both in A&E departments and on hospital wards.
The trust has pleaded with the public to visit A&E only for genuine emergencies or serious accidents, urging people to use alternative services such as NHS 111 where possible. Medical director Manjeet Shehmar stated that the situation has forced the use of every available space, including hospital corridors, where patients are enduring lengthy waits for care.
Hospitals Operating Far Beyond Capacity
The scale of the demand is starkly illustrated at the trust's Queen's Medical Centre Campus. The facility was designed to treat approximately 350 patients daily, but is now regularly seeing over 500. On the busiest day so far this year, Wednesday 7 January 2026, a staggering 550 patients attended A&E.
"Demand on our hospital beds has exceeded all of our forecasted modelling," a trust spokesperson said. "Staff are working under extreme pressure." The declaration of a critical incident – the NHS's highest alert level – allows hospitals to redirect resources, postpone non-urgent treatments, and seek external support to manage the crisis.
Wider NHS Strain Across the Country
Nottingham is not alone in its struggles. Earlier this week, three trusts in Surrey and one in Kent also declared critical incidents. These are Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, and the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.
The current wave of illness is causing deep concern among health leaders. Data from NHS England shows that in the first week of December 2025, 1,717 patients were admitted to hospitals in England with flu – a 56 per cent increase compared to the same week in 2024. This spike has stoked fears of the worst flu season in decades.
There are also serious worries that overcrowded hospitals will be unable to control the spread of infections, potentially putting patients being treated for serious conditions like cancer at extra risk. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has repeatedly urged the public to use A&E responsibly, especially as sub-zero temperatures grip the UK.
This latest incident brings the total number of trusts that have declared critical incidents this month to at least 22, highlighting the profound strain the NHS is under as it battles the annual winter surge.
