Six NHS hospitals declare critical incidents over 'exceptionally high' flu cases as staff grapple with 'challenging circumstances'
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Six NHS Trusts have declared critical incidents with A&E patients facing waits of up to 50 hours.
The trusts say there is an increased number of people with flu and respiratory illnesses in their emergency departments and encouraged patients to seek treatment elsewhere.
The following trusts are experiencing an "exceptionally high demand" for their services.
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (Royal Liverpool University Hospital)
- NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
It comes after the Royal Liverpool Hospital had activated its full capacity protocol on Monday due to the huge numbers of people coming into A&E and the struggle to discharge people to create space.
The Accident and Emergency Department of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital
PA
A spokesman for the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group said: "Given the exceptionally high demands on our emergency department, especially with flu and respiratory illnesses, and the number of patients we have taken this action to support the safe care and treatment of our patients, which is our absolute priority.
"We have a comprehensive plan in place and are taking all the necessary actions to manage the challenging circumstances facing patients and colleagues currently.
"We are working with partner organisations to ensure those that are medically fit can leave hospital safely and at the earliest opportunity.
"Colleagues are working incredibly hard to treat people as quickly as possible, however some people will experience longer waits while we treat our sickest patients."
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There are delays at Royal Liverpool University Hospital
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The spokesman said that people should go to a GP, local pharmacy or walk-in centre to avoid long waits.
They said: "We have seen an increasing number of people with flu and respiratory illnesses in our emergency departments in recent weeks.
"If you are attending our EDs, patients and visitors should follow some additional infection control measures to help curb the spread of winter viruses such as flu and norovirus.
"This includes practicing good hand hygiene, only visiting the areas they need to in our hospitals and wearing masks in clinical areas if asked to do so."
Figures from NHS England show an average of 4,469 flu patients were in beds in England each day last week, including 211 in critical care.
This is up 17 per cent from 3,818 the previous week, when 184 were in critical care and is more than four times the number on December 1, when the figure was 1,098.
When comparing to last winter, the average number of flu patients in hospital in England each day last week is up sharply on the equivalent week last year when the average was 1,312.
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