Critical incident declared at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester

A critical incident has been declared in Hampshire due to “sustained pressures” at hospitals in Basingstoke and Winchester.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust declared the critical incident yesterday afternoon (Monday) because both hospitals are experiencing a high admission rate, a high number of infectious patients requiring isolation, and a low discharge rate.

Beds across both hospitals are currently full and attendance at emergency departments is “extremely high”, meaning there is no capacity to admit further patients at this time.

The trust has urged anyone who seeks non-life threatening medical assistance to speak to NHS 111, their GP, a pharmacy or an urgent treatment centre.

As part of the critical incident response, both hospitals are looking to discharge patients who no longer require acute care and limit the number that need to come to the acute hospital.

The trust’s chief nurse Julie Dawes said: “There are two ways the public can help at this time; firstly, by only attending our emergency departments if acutely unwell or injured; and secondly by collecting loved ones who are ready for discharge.

“A considerable number of beds are being used to care for individuals who would be more comfortable recuperating in a home setting.

“Our ward teams can help with medication or equipment so if you can, please have the conversation and collect loved ones; this will free up capacity for someone who is in need of hospital treatment and care.”