NHS Easter 'meltdown' feared as pressures mount

Patients' group says calls to its helpline have doubled amid fears that NHS services could reach meltdown as pressures mount over the four-day Easter weekend

The number of distressed patients turning to a national helpline for help has more than doubled amid fears that NHS pressures will force hospitals into "meltdown" over the Easter weekend, a charity says.

The Patients Association said its helplines were receiving "soaring" numbers of calls from patients and relatives who had suffered poor care or NHS blunders.

The charity's chief executive said she was fearful about mounting pressures on hospitals as the four-day bank holiday weekend approaches.

It follows warnings from England’s most senior Accident & Emergency doctor that casualty departments are “overwhelmed” by demand, amid desperate shortages of medics.

Katherine Murphy, the charity’s chief executive, said its helpline was now struggling to cope with more than a doubling in calls in recent months from patients and relatives who felt they had “nowhere else to turn”.

Traditionally, GPs and dentists close on Maundy Thursday, re-opening on the Tuesday morning. As a result, A&E departments fall under extra pressure, at a time when more staff are on holiday leave.

But A&E doctors say the services is already struggling to cope with "unprecedented" levels of pressure and overcrowding, and with growing staff shortages.

Mrs Murphy said she was fearful of the situation facing patients this weekend.