Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust declares critical incident amid winter pressures

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has declared a critical incident as hospitals across the region face sustained pressure on services. The move comes amid a surge in emergency department attendances, challenges discharging patients, and increased levels of winter illnesses. Critical incidents enable trusts to prioritise urgent and critical care services, focusing resources on patients […]

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has declared a critical incident as hospitals across the region face sustained pressure on services. The move comes amid a surge in emergency department attendances, challenges discharging patients, and increased levels of winter illnesses.

Critical incidents enable trusts to prioritise urgent and critical care services, focusing resources on patients with the most pressing medical needs. The current strain is worsened by rising flu and norovirus cases, increased staff sickness, and the impact of recent cold weather, which has seen more frail patients admitted to hospital.

The Trust is urging the public to seek help from the most appropriate healthcare services to ease demand:

Pharmacies, GP practices, walk-in centres, NHS 111 online or by phone are available 24/7 for urgent health advice.

999 and emergency departments should only be used for serious or life-threatening conditions.

Non-urgent appointments may be rescheduled to prioritise patients with urgent clinical needs, though cancer and other critical procedures will continue.

Families are encouraged to support the discharge of loved ones who are medically ready to leave hospital.

Visitors to East Surrey Hospital are being asked to follow enhanced infection control measures, including good hand hygiene, reduced movement around the site, mask-wearing in clinical areas, and avoiding visits if experiencing symptoms of flu, COVID-19, or diarrhoea and vomiting.

Katrina O’Shea, Acting Chief Nurse at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said:

“East Surrey Hospital is currently experiencing very high demand, alongside increased levels of winter viruses, which is impacting staffing and how we move patients around our site. As a result, our services are under significant pressure.

“Our teams are working around the clock to care for patients, but please only attend East Surrey Hospital in a life-threatening emergency.

“If your condition isn’t life-threatening, please utilise other NHS services such as 111 online, your local pharmacy or GP, as well as nearby treatment centres at Crawley, Caterham Dene, Horsham and East Grinstead. This will help ensure emergency care is available to patients who need it most.”

The Trust has emphasised that the critical incident is a precautionary measure to protect patient safety and maintain essential services during a challenging winter period.