Some hospital ops cancelled due to ‘critical incident’
UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND FOR HEALTH SERVICES
NOTTINGHAM and Nottinghamshire’s health and care system has an ongoing “critical incident” because of increasing pressure on hospital services.
That means some non-urgent operations, where patients require a stay in hospital, are being postponed so those with the most urgent clinical need can be prioritised.
The critical incident was first declared on the evening of Tuesday, July 26, because of unprecedented demand on NHS services across the city and county.
Patients with the highest level of need will continue to be prioritised to ensure emergency care can be managed.
Services remained open through the weekend.
Local NHS services are struggling because of significant numbers of Covid cases, a lack of capacity in the care sector, and high numbers of patients arriving at hospitals needing treatment.
A statement from the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “We regret that it has been necessary to take this step, but it is important that we focus on patients needing urgent and emergency care as a priority. If you are not contacted directly about an operation being postponed, please continue to attend your appointment as usual.
“Our teams continue to work exceptionally hard, and we would like to reassure our patients and the public that despite the challenges faced and the changes highlighted, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if someone requires urgent medical help, they should continue to come forward.”
The ICB has signposted a number of ways care can be received to place avoidable demand on ambulance services and emergency departments.
NHS 111 can tell you where to get help for your symptoms if you’re not sure what to do, how to find general health information and advice, where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine and how to get a repeat prescription.
You can also use NHS 111 to speak to a clinician and make bookings for urgent treatment centres and other services.
The online and telephone services are available 24/7. Urgent Treatment Centres treat injuries including sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds and other non-emergency conditions. Waiting times are usually much shorter than A&E. There are centres in Nottingham, Newark, Sutton-in-ashfield and Ilkeston. Anyone who is in mental health distress should call the 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line: 0808 196 3779 24. Pharmacists can help with overthe-counter advice and medication; the NHS search can be used to find your nearest pharmacy.
If you are not contacted about an operation being postponed, please attend your appointment as usual.
Integrated Care Board