Nottingham's major healthcare trust has been forced to declare a critical incident as its emergency services face what officials are calling "extreme and unprecedented pressure." Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs both Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital, made the emergency declaration on Tuesday as patient numbers surged beyond capacity.
Emergency Departments Overwhelmed
The trust confirmed that both adult and paediatric emergency departments were operating under severe strain, with some patients facing waits of up to 26 hours for treatment. Ambulances were left queuing outside facilities as emergency departments struggled to accommodate new arrivals.
System-Wide Pressures
The crisis extends beyond Nottingham, with the wider East Midlands region experiencing similar challenges. An East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson reported "long handover delays with our hospital partners," noting that some crews were waiting over five hours to transfer patients to hospital care.
Staffing Shortages Exacerbate Crisis
The situation has been worsened by significant staffing shortages, with higher than usual employee absences reported across the trust. Healthcare professionals are working under what the trust described as "difficult circumstances" as they attempt to manage the overwhelming patient demand.
Public Urged to Seek Alternatives
Health officials are urging the public to consider alternative options before attending A&E, suggesting NHS 111 online, local pharmacies, or urgent treatment centres for non-life-threatening conditions. The trust emphasised that emergency departments should be reserved for genuine life-threatening situations during this period of extreme pressure.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges facing the NHS during winter months, with healthcare services across the country struggling to meet increased demand while managing staffing shortages and capacity constraints.
