Nottingham University Hospitals Trust has declared a critical incident, becoming the fifth NHS trust to do so in 24 hours, due to overwhelming demand. The trust cited “severe and sustained pressure” from rising patient numbers, winter infections, and staff sickness.
The combination has led to “significant and unacceptable” delays in A&E and on hospital wards, with patients facing lengthy waits in corridors. The trust’s A&E at Queen’s Medical Centre, designed for 350 patients daily, has been regularly treating over 500, with a peak of 550 on the busiest day so far this year.
Earlier, three trusts in Surrey and one in Kent also declared critical incidents amid a surge in flu and norovirus admissions. These include the 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.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has urged the public to use A&E only for genuine emergencies, as sub-zero temperatures strain services. Medical director Manjeet Shehmar said staff are using every available space, including corridors, which is not acceptable care, and appealed to the public to contact NHS 111 instead.
At least 17 other trusts have declared critical incidents this month. NHS England reported a 56% increase in flu hospital admissions in the first week of December compared to the same period in 2024.
