Critical incident after hospital power failure

The power failure affected the hospital's intensive care and high dependency units

A hospital has declared a "critical incident" after a power failure in its intensive care and high dependency units.

East Surrey Hospital in Redhill is asking people to consider using alternatives, such as the non-emergency 111 number or consulting their GP or a pharmacist.

The Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said on X, formerly Twitter, the Emergency Department is not closed and the power failure is "localised".

It is not yet known what caused the failure or when power is expected to be restored.

A spokesperson for Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: “We are working to urgently resolve the power issues in our Intensive Care and High Dependency Units and ensure the safe care of all those who need our services.

“While our Emergency Department remains open, we are asking members of the public to please consider other local alternatives to ED - including nearby treatment centres at Crawley, Caterham Dene, Horsham and East Grinstead if your condition is not life-threatening.

"This will reduce the potential pressure on our intensive care services and ensure care is available to patients who need it most.”

In a statement on its website, the trust said both units were "safely evacuated" on Monday.

Essential services remain open "for anyone who needs them", it added.