Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester step down from critical incident but still at high alert

Two hospitals have stepped down from a critical incident status but remain at high alert due to the medical centres operating at nearly full capacity.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust declared the critical incident on Monday afternoon (December 17) at its hospitals in Basingstoke and Winchester, but lifted the incident this morning (Wednesday).

Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital still remain at a high alert status.

A trust spokesperson said: “Our hospitals remain incredibly busy providing care to a high number of people.

“We remain at our highest alert status outside of a full incident response.

“Thank you for your continued support during this time and to our staff for their ongoing dedication to our patients.”

The trust has asked Hampshire residents to assist them by supporting their friends and family members who are being discharged from hospital and helping them by collecting them at the earliest opportunity.

They have also asked potential patients to only attend the emergency departments of both hospitals if they have a life-threatening injury or illness.

Those who require non-life-threatening medical assistance are encouraged to use NHS 111 online, visit their local pharmacy or GP.