Critical incident declared at Walsall hospital after increased numbers needing emergency care

An NHS Trust in the Black Country has declared a critical incident due to the number of people needing urgent and emergency hospital care.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust operates Walsall Manor Hospital, where it said it was seeing an increase in people needing hospital treatment.

The Trust has said the increase is mainly down to having more people admitted with respiratory conditions, which then has a knock-on effect for other patients.

It has urged people to get their flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations and to make use of local pharmacies and NHS 111.

Will Roberts, Chief Operating Officer at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "We expect, and plan for higher demand for our Urgent and Emergency Care services in winter.

"At Walsall Manor we are currently seeing increased numbers of people requiring hospital care - predominantly with respiratory conditions - and this inevitably impacts patient flow elsewhere.

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"We are working with our teams in both the hospital and community, as well as our partners, to support patients who can be cared for at home and to help patients to be safely discharged where appropriate.

"We would remind people of the importance of their flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations, and the services that are here to help them such as local pharmacies which can give advice on a range of illnesses and NHS 111 for those who need more urgent medical attention."

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