All Devon hospitals declare critical incidents

A critical incident was declared at Derriford Hospital on Tuesday morning amid a spike in patient numbers

All of Devon's hospitals have declared critical incidents as the health service faces a "perfect storm" of demand.

Derriford Hospital, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Torbay Hospital and North Devon Hospital are all warning of "significant pressures" on their services, NHS Devon said.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said a "significant and rising demand" for emergency care at Derriford Hospital had sparked the sixth such incident over the last 12 months.

Meanwhile, a critical incident declared on Friday by the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board also remains in place due to a period of "sustained pressure" on services.

NHS Devon said a rise in cold weather illnesses, including flu, vomiting and diarrhoea bugs meant all of the county's NHS services, including the main hospitals - in Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay and Barnstaple – were likely to remain under severe pressure all week.

It said the region's ambulance service had also been experiencing significant and sustained demand across its 999 services.

Dr Peter Collins, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Devon said: "All our services are working together to prioritise care to those most in need.

"Making the right choices can save lives and support our neighbourhoods and communities."

'Extremely busy'

The Plymouth trust said many of its patients were older and reporting respiratory problems, exacerbated by the cold weather.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across parts of Devon and Cornwall.

The trust said on Monday nearly 200 of the 300 people who attended the "extremely busy" Derriford Hospital for emergency care were then admitted.

Darryn Allcorn, chief nurse at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, told the BBC that respiratory conditions exacerbated by the cold weather, as well as flu, Covid and norovirus, had created the "perfect storm in terms of demand".

He added: "Over the last 48 hours, we've seen a continued rise in demand across our services both in Plymouth and across our services.

"What we've seen also is an increased level of acuity; patients have required both emergency care treatment and, more importantly, admission to the hospital".

He said the critical incident involved actions such as working with social care to support patients returning to the community, plus cancelling training, and a concentrated focus by senior decision makers to reduce pressures.

'Be kind'

He added: "Our emergency department is there for life-threatening conditions and real emergencies.

"If you do come and it is not an emergency or a life-threatening condition, then you may be redirected.

"We ask that patients, visitors and families be kind to one another and continue to treat staff with respect during this extremely busy period."

Hospitals across south-west England are still reporting significant spikes in flu and respiratory admissions following the Christmas period.

The declaration of a critical incident means health bosses can call in extra help to deal with the demand.

They include opening extra beds and organising for extra staff to work.

'Amazing NHS staff'

Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Luke Pollard said Derriford was under "exceptional pressure" and those without an emergency should seek other NHS services where possible.

"Derriford has been making progress after the five critical incidents declared last year, but it underlines the scale of the challenge to repair our health service.

"I want to thank our amazing NHS staff who are working tirelessly to help patients during this very busy time."

Fred Thomas, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View, said hard-working staff were doing all they could to keep patients safe.

'Chronic underfunding'

He blamed "years of chronic underfunding" and reiterated calls for a new emergency department, saying: "Fixing our broken NHS is the government's top priority."

Advice from the trust includes asking family and friends to support patients to return home as soon as they are ready, and making use of one off grants to support discharge.

Meanwhile, it said the Urgent Treatment Centre at the Cumberland Centre in Devonport was open every day for non life-threatening urgent treatment.

Emergency dental care is provided by dentists and NHS 111, while those suffering with a winter bug, including flu, or norovirus, should stay at home and avoid vulnerable people, the trust said.