Three Birmingham hospitals declare a critical incident due to winter pressures
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust has declared a critical incident due to winter pressures at several accident & emergency departments.
The trust website states: "Due to the extreme pressures in our emergency department, demand for beds and numbers of patients with flu, we have declared a critical incident.
"Please consider other services for any minor healthcare needs."
It operates the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Selly Oak; Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield and Heartlands Hospital in Bordesley Green.
The trust today said a combined 10 wards across its sites are caring for flu patients with 269 given a flu diagnosis.
It is the latest trust to declare a critical incident following an upsurge in winter illnesses including RSV, influenza and Covid-19 cases.
In Staffordshire the University Hospitals of North Midlands declared a critical incident on December 8 at both Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford.
Residents feeling unwell with minor matters are being advised to visit Urgent Treatment Centres - accessed by phoning NHS 111 Pharmacy First. Meanwhile local pharmacies which will provide advice, guidance and medication for common conditions.
