‘Critical incident’ at hospital as NHS braces for its worst winter

A HOSPITAL has declared a “critical incident” over mounting pressures in its accident and emergency department, as unions raised fears that the NHS could face its worst winter crisis.

Nottingham University Hospitals trust – already the worst performing in the country on A&E targets – said it had been under exceptional strain for several days.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine said it was “extremely concerned” about mounting pressures, warning “winter has clearly arrived after minimal let-up over the summer”.

Meanwhile, the British Medical Association said the NHS was “almost certain to endure the most pressurised winter on record”, as a result of staff shortages, a pensions crisis which has caused doctors to cut their hours, and time being spent on Brexit planning rather than on winter preparedness.

The union said pressures had remained so high over the summer that hospitals had experienced no respite, warning that the numbers waiting on trolleys were “set to skyrocket”.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the BMA chairman, said: “Trusts and GP practices will be bracing themselves for what looks set to be the worst winter the NHS has ever endured.

“Patients should not fear needing hospital care or being able to see their GP, nor should they have to accept that they may spend hours on a trolley in an emergency department.”

Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said: “Doctors on the front line are confirming what patients are telling us every day – the NHS is in crisis under the Tories.”

Paul Scully, deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “We are investing record amounts … and building 40 new hospitals to help our NHS cope with increasing demand.”

♦ NHS workers must say no when patients ask for a white doctor, Matt Hancock has said. In a letter to all NHS staff, the Health Secretary said the Government would back up workers who took a “zero tolerance” approach to racism.