Major UK hospital declares critical incident as struggling A&E department 'full'
A major UK hospital has declared a critical incident as its A&E department is completely “full” while it battles “immense pressure”.
The Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan made the shocking announcement this evening as the hospital struggles amid current challenges to the NHS.
The Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust warned that after “unprecedented attendances” the A&E department was “full”.
On top of this, “growing pressures” on services further worsened the situation.
A critical incident means the hospital can take additional action to ensure safe services are maintained as it deals with these increasing pressures.
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The trust added that it was facing “ongoing challenges” in discharging patients who are now well enough to leave hospital - a long standing problem facing the NHS.
The hospital's emergency department was "full" after a swell of attendance (Manchester Evening News)This puts a limit on the beds available for incoming patients who “are in desperate need of medical attention” the trust said.
A statement from the trust read: "Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is currently facing exceptionally high levels of occupancy, growing pressure on our services, and unprecedented attendances at our Emergency Department (A&E) at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan.
"We are also seeing ongoing challenges in discharging our patients who are well enough to leave hospital, which has a direct impact on the number of beds available for patients who are in desperate need of medical attention.
"As a result of this ongoing pressure, the Trust has escalated its position to a critical incident, which means WWL can take additional action to maintain safe services for our patients and tackle this increasing pressure.
The trust went to lengths to remind people A&E was not always the most appropriate course of action when they needed medical attention (Manchester Evening News)"The safety of our patients and our staff is always our top priority and we are working through who needs our help as quickly and as safely as we can. We must prioritise treatment for patients with life and limb-threatening conditions and injuries."
The trust reminded people that A&E should not always be their first port of call when people require medical attention.
It called for them to consider alternatives that might be “more appropriate”.
On top of this, there has seemingly been a problem with patients ignoring the advice of some teams as it added: “If you are directed to alternative care facilities, please accept the advice of our teams, as this will be in your best interest, and they are prioritising patients who are in desperate need of medical attention.”
The statement added: "We have a strong focus on safely discharging patients who are ready to leave our hospitals to make sure we can free up capacity for those who urgently require a hospital stay. Please help your loved ones if they are staying in hospital during the time they’re receiving care, through the discharge process and post-discharge when they need support at home.
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"Recovery at home is always the best option, and our discharge teams will continue to help patients and families to make sure the transition to home is safe."
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