In response to sustained demand for its services, Isle of Wight NHS Trust has declared a Critical Incident.
A continuing increase in demand for emergency care has put the Trust under significant pressure and we are only able to treat new patients with life threatening conditions and injuries.
Delays in discharging people home or into social care settings means that St Mary’s Hospital has reached capacity.
In order to maintain the safety of our services, some planned surgical activity has been postponed, but we will continue to prioritise cancer treatment and urgent operations, as well as people who have already had long waits for their treatment.
Steve Parker, Medical Director, said,
“The safety of our patients and our staff remains our top priority.
“We are working closely with partners to improve the flow of patients through the hospital and we are appealing to our local community to help us ensure that patients get home as soon as possible and to only come to our Emergency Department (ED) for life threatening conditions and injuries.
“While we are in this period of sustained high demand, we urge you not to attend the ED unless it’s an emergency: NHS 111 online can help you find where to get help and support.”
Please help us reach the wider community by sharing our social media messages through your own channels.
We are asking members of the public to help by please:
- Collecting family and friends from hospital as soon as they are ready to be discharged, to free up beds for those who need them.
- Visit NHS 111 online or call NHS 111 for heath advice, or alternatively contact your local pharmacist or GP.
- Think about the most appropriate NHS service for your needs and to only call 999 in the event of a life-threatening illness or injury.
- Stay away from our hospitals if you have symptoms, or are a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
News shared by Isle of Wight NHS Trust, in their own words. Ed
Image: lydiashiningbrightly under CC BY 2.0
