Patient surge leaves Midland hospitals facing major crisis

HOSPITALS across Birmingham, Sandwell and Worcestershire declared ‘critical incidents’ this week.

Days of sustained pressure on stretched services have left an ‘unprecedented’ surge in ill patients.

People are facing lengthy waits for ambulances as 999 response times also take a dive followed by lengthy waits in A&E.

One senior NHS source told the Post the situation was likely to worsen over

Christmas and New Year, as demand overwhelms hospitals.

The source said: “It is really dire. I’m afraid to say that people are dying avoidably because of the current pressures.”

A statement to staff from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust said they faced an ‘extraordinary situation that required immediate action’.

Unprecedented demand at both of its main hospitals – City Hospital in Dudley Road, Birmingham, and Sandwell Hospital – forced the trust’s hand.

“Colleagues are working tirelessly to provide the best care possible under these challenging circumstances,” said the Trust.

A critical incident is declared by an NHS trust which is facing extraordinary pressure.

It tells staff, bosses and patients that the hospital will not be able to function as usual.

Large numbers of staff being absent and a very high number of patients can force a critical incident. It can last hours, days or even weeks.

Declaring a critical incident allows trusts to prioritise the patients most in need and to instigate additional measures to protect patient safety.

This includes prioritising the sickest patients, cancelling training sessions and prioritising bookings for non-emergency transport, etc.