Several NHS trusts in England declare critical incidents amid rise in flu cases

7 January 2025, 06:14 | Updated: 7 January 2025, 16:04

A number of NHS trusts across England have declared critical incidents as flu cases spike.

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital declared a critical incident due to "exceptionally high" demand on A&E; and patients being admitted to wards.

It said there had been a spike in people with respiratory illnesses going to emergency departments in recent weeks, with NHS data showing the number of people in England's hospitals with flu quadrupled in the last month.

Several other NHS trusts later declared critical incidents, with one saying it had seen "high numbers of older patients with respiratory problems exacerbated by the cold weather".

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust declared critical incidents on Tuesday morning, followed by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust in the afternoon.

'Plan in place' in Liverpool

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital said it had a "comprehensive plan in place" and was "taking all the necessary actions to manage the challenging circumstances".

"We are working with partner organisations to ensure those that are medically fit can leave hospital safely and at the earliest opportunity," the hospital added.

The hospital warned some people would experience delays as it prioritises the sickest patients.

Patients not in an emergency are being asked to see their GP or pharmacy, to visit their nearest walk-in centre - or to call the 111 service for advice.

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is in the city centre and is the biggest hospital in Merseyside and Cheshire.

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'Rising demand' across England

Declaring a critical incident can happen when a hospital is experiencing exceptional demand, or sometimes if there is a serious problem with staffing levels.

It indicates it cannot function as normal and allows it to take extra measures to protect patients, such as prioritising the most unwell people and getting support from other agencies.

It could last hours, a few days, or weeks if necessary.

On Tuesday, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust also announced that it had declared a critical incident "due to significant and rising demand for hospital care".

A statement on the trust's website said more than 300 people attended Derriford Hospital as emergencies on Monday, with almost 200 of those admitted for care as inpatients.

"We are particularly seeing high numbers of older patients with respiratory problems exacerbated by the cold weather," it added.

"Our emergency department is currently very full and if you do not have an emergency or life-threatening condition, you may be redirected to other healthcare services."

Last Friday, the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board also declared a critical incident, saying it had seen almost four times as many inpatients as last year.

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There have been warnings this winter of a so-called "quad-demic"- with flu, vomiting bug norovirus, COVID and RSV circulating at the same time.

The NHS provides vaccinations against three of the four; flu, COVID-19 and RSV (a common cause of chest infection in babies).

(c) Sky News 2025: Several NHS trusts in England declare critical incidents amid rise in flu cases