Critical incident declared at Addenbrooke's Hospital

The hospital declared the incident in the emergency department at Addenbrooke's Hospital

A hospital has declared a critical incident in its accident and emergency department.

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust declared the incident at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

It said the hospital was "under severe pressure" and has apologised to patients for longer-than-normal waiting times.

A trust spokesperson assured patients that staff were doing everything they could.

The spokesperson said: "We have declared an internal critical incident, which is an internal message to our staff that our emergency department, and the hospital in general, is under severe pressure and departments need to follow well-rehearsed protocols to help increase patient flow through our facilities.

"We would reassure the public that our dedicated staff are doing everything possible to provide the best possible care and sympathise with, and apologise to, any patients who are waiting longer than normal."

It comes after another hospital in the East of England, James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, also declared a critical incident.