Critical Incident Update | News

Update: Thursday 15 January

Trust stands down Critical Incident at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Following extensive work across Royal Surrey’s services and in close partnership with local partners, the Critical Incident declared on Monday 12 January has now been stood down.

While this represents a de-escalation, services remain very busy and winter challenges continue. These include sustained high demand, the impact of winter viruses and delays in discharging patients who are ready to go home.

We therefore continue to ask our local community to help us by using alternative NHS services where appropriate, and to attend the Emergency Department only for life-threatening emergencies. This will help ensure that urgent care remains available for those who need it most.

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Monday 12 January

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust has declared a Critical Incident due to sustained and significant pressure on its services. This is primarily driven by a high number of attendances at the Emergency Department and a lack of available beds in inpatient wards.

Declaring a Critical Incident is part of an NHS escalation process that allows the Trust to prioritise critical services and take additional steps to maintain patient safety during periods of exceptional demand.

Members of the public can help support Royal Surrey during this time by:

• Continuing to use community healthcare services such as pharmacies, GP practices, walk-in centres, the NHS App, and NHS 111 (online or by phone, 24/7) for urgent health advice.
• Only calling 999 or attending the Emergency Department for serious or life-threatening conditions.
• Attending appointments as normal unless contacted directly by staff to reschedule.
• Supporting the timely discharge of loved ones who are medically fit to leave hospital, where it is safe to do so.
• Following additional infection prevention measures when visiting, including good hand hygiene, limiting movement around the site, and wearing masks in our Emergency Department. Visitors are also asked not to attend if they have symptoms of respiratory illness (including Covid-19 or flu) or gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea or vomiting. 

Dr Bill Jewsbury, Medical Director at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“Royal Surrey is currently experiencing extremely high demand, placing significant pressure on our services.

“Declaring a Critical Incident allows us to take further action to maintain safe care for our patients and manage these increasing pressures.

“We ask the public to use healthcare services appropriately and only attend A&E in an emergency, so our teams can focus on those who need urgent care. If you need urgent help or advice and are unsure where to go, please contact NHS 111.

“If you have a loved one who is ready to be discharged from hospital we would be very grateful for your support in enabling that discharge as quickly and safely as possible.

“Our staff continue to work exceptionally hard, and we would like to reassure the public that essential services remain open. Anyone who needs urgent medical help should continue to come forward.”