NHS Trusts Declare Critical Incidents Amid Patient Surge

Several NHS trusts across the UK have declared critical incidents due to overwhelming demand and rising respiratory infections, particularly flu. In Cornwall, the Royal Cornwall Hospital is facing high patient numbers and long ambulance queues, prompting NHS officials to urge the public to reserve emergency visits for life-threatening situations only. Meanwhile, Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust has also recently stood down its critical incident status after implementing limited visiting and reintroducing face masks to help mitigate infection spread. East Surrey Hospital is experiencing similar pressure, restricting visits and cancelling non-urgent operations due to increased demand. Health officials emphasize the importance of utilizing alternative services, such as NHS 111, pharmacies, and urgent treatment centers, to alleviate pressure on emergency departments. Experts warn that the NHS is grappling with a concerning rate of hospitalizations, particularly from flu, reinforcing the need for systemic reforms to improve resilience in healthcare delivery.