Nottinghamshire hospitals 'stabilising' but still 'under pressure'

Health bosses fear the situation could get worse over the weekend

A critical incident affecting Nottinghamshire's entire healthcare system will remain in place over the weekend.

The critical incident was declared on Wednesday, hours after junior doctors started strike action.

Bosses said hospitals in the city and county were under "extreme pressure" and patients faced long delays for treatment.

They said on Friday the situation had eased, however "pressures remain".

The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) said declaring a critical incident had enabled NHS organisations across the county to work even closer together by sharing resources.

The position has been stabilised over the last 48 hours, but health bosses fear the situation could worsen over the weekend.

The ICB has urged patients to only attend the accident and emergency (A&E) department if they have a life-threatening illness or an injury that cannot be treated elsewhere.

The critical incident was declared just hours after junior doctors started a six-day walkout over pay.