Coventry's hospital issues urgent warning over A&E as it pleads 'stop'

It comes as other hospitals in the Midlands have declared a 'critical incident'



Coventry's hospital has issued an urgent warning over its A&E as demand continues to grow. The University Hospital has revealed that its Emergency Department is 'extremely busy'.

Due to the increasing demand and the pressure it puts on staff, the hospital has issued a social media message which includes an image which urges people to 'stop' before they attend A&E, asking if they have sought other alternatives.

It adds that its A&E is for 'life-threatening' emergencies. The post reads "Please support us by choosing the right service for your healthcare needs. If your condition is urgent, but not life-threatening, you may be able to get an appointment and the right support quicker by using an alternative service."

The post continues: "Remember, our Emergency Department is for life-threatening emergencies such as loss of consciousness, a persistent state of confusion, severe chest pains, reoccurring fits, breathing difficulties and severe bleeding that can't be stopped."

The warning comes as another hospital in the Midlands has declared a 'critical incident' The NHS trust that runs the City Hospital in Nottingham and Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) has admitted it is 'experiencing pressures like never before'.

A 'critical incident' is when where demand overwhelms capacity and put patient care at risk. As a result, the trust is rearranging non-urgent medical procedures - such as surgery - to create space for the sickest patients. Staff are also being redeployed to help ease the pressures being felt at the hospitals.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventrys-hospital-issues-urgent-warning-33220813

Same old, same old!

Critical incident declared over A&E pressures


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A critical incident has been declared by an NHS trust amid growing pressure on its emergency department.

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust said the level of attendances at Warwick Hospital's A&E was among the highest it had ever seen.

Teams were trying to see people as quickly as possible, the trust added, but the increased demand meant they were unable to maintain the waiting times it "strives for".

It said those seeking care would be waiting for a "significant length of time" and asked anyone attending the hospital to minimise the number of people with them.

It urged people only to visit A&E for life-threatening emergencies and seek help via 111, pharmacies, GPs or the minor injuries unit at Stratford Hospital for any other health issues.

Nuneaton hospital chief issues urgent message over under-pressure A&E



Nuneaton's hospital chief has issued an urgent message over a under-pressure department. Adam Carson, acting chief executive, says that the George Eliot Hospital is currently 'extremely busy', with its A&E department under the most pressure.

To help the unit cope, he has urged people to only attend in an emergency situation. It comes as another Warwickshire hospital, Warwick, has been forced to declare a 'critical incident' due to the surge in demand on its emergency department.

The 'Eliot is not at this point yet, which is the highest alert level used by the NHS, but the hospital boss wants to ensure that the A&E staff, as well as those across the wider hospital, are not put under further pressure.

In a statement, the acting chief executive said: "The hospital is currently extremely busy, reflecting what we are seeing across Warwickshire

"Please help us by only attending A&E or calling 999 for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, severe chest pains, reoccurring fits, breathing difficulties and severe bleeding that can’t be stopped.

"Other patients are likely to face significant waits as we care for those most in need. If you need help and aren’t sure where best to get treat­ment, use 111 Online and you’ll be dir­ec­ted to a ser­vice which can you find the right care more quickly."

Also, to help ease the number of medically fit patients taking up vital beds in the hospital, he has also urged: "It is also import­ant for you to sup­port us to get your loved ones home when they are clin­ic­ally well, stay­ing in hos­pital for longer than neces­sary can often have a neg­at­ive impact on how well patients recover."

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/nuneaton-hospital-chief-issues-urgent-33236905

Critical incident declared over hospitals' delays



An NHS trust has declared a critical incident because of "severe and sustained pressure" on its services.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, which runs University Hospital Coventry and Hospital of St Cross in Rugby, announced the decision on Thursday evening.

The trust said a demand for hospital beds had exceeded the forecast amount, triggering significant and unacceptable delays in the emergency department and across hospital wards.

"Patients are experiencing unacceptable and lengthy waits and staff are working under extreme pressure," a spokesperson for the trust said.

Tracey Brigstock, chief nursing officer, said: "We are experiencing exceptional pressure across our services, particularly in our Emergency Department.

"Despite our teams working tirelessly, demand is exceeding our capacity.

"Declaring a Critical Incident is not a decision we have taken lightly, but it is necessary to protect patient safety."

She urged people to only attend A&E if they have a life-threatening emergency and to use NHS 111, GP services or urgent treatment centres where appropriate.

"I am sorry for the disruption this may cause and thank our staff for their continued professionalism," she said.

"I also ask everyone to be patient and kind to our teams during this challenging time."

Critical incident stood down at hospital

An NHS hospital has stood down a critical incident that had been declared due to "severe and sustained pressure" on the service.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust declared a critical level incident at University Hospital Coventry on Thursday.

At the time a spokesperson said demand for beds had "led to significant and unacceptable delays" in the Emergency Department (ED).

On Saturday, the trust said pressure had "eased" although services remained "very busy".

A trust spokesperson said: "We are continuing to see high demand in our Emergency Department and across our wards."

They added that patients could help by only using the ED for "life-threatening emergencies".

For other health concerns, patients have been advised to use NHS 111 online or over the phone.

The spokesperson added: "We apologise to those who have been impacted by these pressures and want to thank our communities for their support.

"We also want to thank our colleagues, whose response to this critical incident has been outstanding."

Latest Coventry A&E wait times as pressure on one part of service remains high



Pressures remain in one area of a Coventry hospital after a critical incident was declared this week.

Bosses at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust declared a critical incident on Thursday after growing demand at the Coventry hospital emergency department.

It came as waiting times at A&E grew to an ‘unacceptable’ level.

But yesterday (Saturday 24), the critical incident was stood down as pressures eased, although services remained ‘busy’.

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Staff were praised for their ‘outstanding’ work during the critical incident.

This afternoon, (Sunday 25) the live A&E wait times show pressures continuing to ease - in every area apart from one.

Wait times at the children’s emergency department in Coventry are still more than six hours at the time of writing.

The regular emergency department, also based at the Clifford Bridge Road site, is more than two hours.

At the minor injuries unit and the Rugby Urgent Treatment Centre, the wait time is more than one hour.

And people are continuing to be urged to choose the right service for their needs. UHCW said the NHS 111 service can support people who need medical assistance fast when it’s not an emergency.

They also reminded people that the pharmacist can provide treatment or even some prescription medications if needed without first having to see a GP.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/latest-coventry-ae-wait-times-33297985