Hospital declares critical incident over ‘exceptionally high’ demand on A&E amid rising flu cases
The Royal Liverpool University Hospital has declared a critical incident due to “exceptionally high” demand on A&E and patients being admitted to wards.
The hospital said there had been a spike in people with flu and respiratory illnesses going to emergency departments in recent weeks.
The number of people in England’s hospital with flu quadrupled in the last month, according to NHS data.
A spokesperson for the 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,” they added.
The hospital warned some people would experience delays as it prioritises the sickest patients and staff were “working incredibly hard”.
People whose case isn’t an emergency are being asked to consider seeing their GP, pharmacy or walk-in centre – or call the 111 service for advice.
The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the biggest hospital in Merseyside and Cheshire
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 illnesses; flu, COVID-19 and, as of September this year, RSV (a common cause of chest infection in babies).
Declaring a critical incident can happen when a hospital is experiencing exceptional demand, or sometimes if there is a problem with staffing levels.
It indicates it can’t function as normal and allows the hospital 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.