NHS Trusts Lift Critical Incidents Amid Strain

The NHS in Northamptonshire and Hampshire have both recently stood down critical incident declarations, initially made due to overwhelming pressure on hospitals from high patient volumes and flu cases. In Northamptonshire, services remain under significant strain despite the lifting of the critical incident label, with healthcare officials urging the public to seek help through 111.nhs.uk or local pharmacies for non-urgent care. Similarly, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has thanked the public for adhering to advice to only attend emergency departments for serious cases, which has contributed to an improving situation. However, both trusts caution that long waits will persist for those seeking treatment for non-life-threatening conditions, and they encourage continued self-care and alternative care options. Hospital officials stress that while the situation is improving, they are not yet fully out of the crisis and expect ongoing challenges in the coming weeks. The public is also encouraged to assist by collecting discharged patients to help alleviate pressure on hospital resources.