Derriford Hospital stands down fifth critical incident of year
Derriford Hospital in Plymouth has stood down a critical incident it declared for the fifth time in 2024.
The measure, which was brought in at 8am on 4 April, is the highest state of alert for a hospital and means that additional steps are taken to ensure patient safety.
The NHS trust that runs the site says it has now stood down the measure but has asked people to only turn up to the emergency department if in a serious or life-threatening condition.
It was announced due to increased operational pressures and IT issues affecting the hospital's 'key clinical systems'.
It added that people attending A&E who do not have emergency or life-threatening conditions may be sent to other healthcare services, as the emergency department is 'very full'.
Staff say anyone who is unwell should instead call NHS 111 or use NHS 111 online, where they may be provided with advice or redirected to other sites, such as the minor injury units in Tavistock and Kingsbridge.
But University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust added that those with a 'very serious or life-threatening emergency' should still attend A&E.
The hospital has declared a critical incident five times since the start of the year, with the first incident being announced just five days into 2024. At that time, staff said it was due to higher numbers of people attending A&E over the previous three days.
They declared a second incident later in January, which lasted for eight days, and a third in February, which lasted for three days, after high numbers of people with the flu stretched capacity at Derriford Hospital.
Staff then declared a fourth critical incident on the afternoon of Sunday 10 March due to 'high occupancy' in the hospital.
Where to go for treatment:
The trust said in a statement that "colleagues are working hard to prioritise patients based on their clinical need and move patients to the right place for them as soon as possible".
It added a list of where patients should go for treatment, if it a non-life threatening or non-emergency condition.
Those with a minor illness should speak to their GP or pharmacist
Those with an urgent medical condition that is not an emergency should contact NHS 111
Those with an injury that is not life-threatening but needs urgent treatment should attend the Urgent Treatment Centre at the Cumberland Centre in Devonport
The Minor Injury Units in Tavistock and at South Hams Hospital are open every day
Those needing emergency dental care should contact their usual dentist or NHS 111, where they can be provided with their local our of hours service