East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, the primary healthcare facility serving the communities of Crawley, Horsham, and East Grinstead, has declared a "critical incident" due to a significant surge in winter viruses. This increase in patient numbers has placed considerable strain on the hospital's resources, prompting immediate changes to hospital protocols and the rescheduling of some non-urgent appointments to manage the crisis more effectively.
In response to the escalating situation, the hospital has introduced mandatory face mask policies in all clinical areas for both patients and visitors. This measure is intended to curb the spread of infections within the hospital, protecting both the health of the patients and the staff on the front lines. The use of face masks is a critical component in controlling the transmission of respiratory viruses, which are particularly prevalent during the winter months.
The hospital trust is taking proactive steps to ensure that emergency services remain available for those who truly need them. They are advising patients with non-life-threatening conditions to seek alternative medical services. This includes using NHS 111 for guidance, visiting local pharmacies for minor ailments, or going to urgent treatment centers for issues requiring prompt but not emergency care.
The redirection of non-emergency patients is part of a broader effort by the NHS to manage patient flow during peak times. By encouraging the public to utilise different facets of the healthcare system, the NHS aims to distribute healthcare demands more evenly, thereby enhancing overall efficiency and effectiveness.
This critical incident at East Surrey Hospital underscores the challenges hospitals face during the winter season, when spikes in flu, colds, and other viral illnesses are common.
Ed Cetti, Chief Medical Officer at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said:
“Due to high levels of demand and a sharp increase in winter viruses which is impacting staffing levels and how we move patients around our site, our services are under significant pressure.
“Our staff are working around the clock to minimise disruption to those already on our wards, treat all patients coming into our Emergency Department, and continue to discharge patients who no longer require acute care to ensure we have available beds for those who need admission, 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.”
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