Derriford Hospital declares 'critical incident' as hundreds seek emergency care
Report by ITV News West Country reporter Sam Blackledge
Derriford Hospital in Plymouth has declared a critical incident due to increased pressure on its emergency department.
More than 300 people attended the hospital needing emergency treatment on Monday, almost 200 of whom were admitted as inpatients.
People accompanying patients have been asked not to enter the emergency department unless absolutely necessary.
The University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, which runs Derriford, said it is seeing high numbers of older patients with respiratory problems exacerbated by the cold weather.
The trust's chief nurse, Darryn Allcorn, said: “Our Emergency Department is there for life-threatening conditions and real emergencies.
"If you can use other services, such as NHS 111, pharmacy or your GP, please do so. If you do come to the emergency department and it is not an emergency or a life-threatening condition, then you may be redirected.
“It’s really important we make sure that the sickest patients are prioritised and that we keep our services flowing for those who are in greatest need.
"Therefore, we ask that at this time unless you are a carer or if the patient who is coming to the hospital is particularly distressed, that those who accompany patients do not to come into the emergency department. We need the seating spaces for patients to sit down and be comfortable.
“We ask that patients, visitors and families be kind to one another and continue to treat staff with respect during this extremely busy period.”
Critical incident remains in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Last week the NHS in Cornwall declared a critical incident and issued an urgent warning to residents due to "sustained pressure" on the Royal Cornwall Hospital.
It allows the NHS to take "additional, immediate steps to create capacity, discharge patients, relieve pressure on [the] emergency department and release ambulances and their crews", according to NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB).
It comes after health bosses warned freezing temperatures at the beginning of January could put additional strain on the NHS, with a four-fold increase in people being admitted for flu nationally.
Kate Shields, the ICB's chief executive, said: "We are currently seeing a high number of ambulances waiting outside the Royal Cornwall Hospital and of patients in our emergency department.
"There are also a large number of patients in Cornwall’s hospitals who are medically fit to be discharged but are awaiting the right care.
"We urgently need the public’s support to make sure we can see those who are sickest and have the greatest need."
Dr Chris Reid, chief medical officer for NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, said: "Over the last month we have seen almost four times as many hospital inpatients with flu as we did a year ago.
"Calling a system critical incident allows us to stand down non urgent work and focus on seeing more patients in our primary care hubs, getting people home from hospital and helping keep them from needing to be admitted.
"I want to thank all of our hardworking colleagues across the health and care system who work tirelessly all year round but are under particular pressure when our services are so busy."
In a statement, NHS Devon added: "A rise in cold weather illnesses, including flu, vomiting and diarrhoea bugs mean all of the county’s NHS services, including the main hospitals - in Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay and Barnstaple – are likely to remain under severe pressure all week.
"The region’s ambulance service has also been experiencing significant and sustained demand across its 999 services."