Stafford hospital declares 'critical incident' due to increased winter pressures

University Hospitals of North Midlands declared a critical incident today (December 8) as both Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford grapple with unprecedented demand. 

After a week of sustained and intense pressure—worsening further over the weekend—senior leaders say the move is essential to protect patient safety and keep vital services running. 

As emergency departments face mounting challenges and delayed admissions, officials are urging the public to use A&E only for life-threatening conditions and to support timely patient discharge wherever possible.

Katy Thorpe, UHNM Chief Operating Officer said: “We have taken the difficult decision to declare a critical incident. This helps us to take additional measures to maintain safe services for our patients and those in the community waiting for an ambulance.

“Locally we are working with our NHS and local authority partners to ensure that people who need hospital and emergency care can get treatment quickly and to identify any additional support that allows us to discharge patients who do not require acute hospital care.

“As anticipated, the pressure is greatest in our emergency departments, which are facing continued challenges as patients cannot be admitted to bed promptly.”

Dr Diane Adamson, UHNM Chief Medical Officer, added: “During this time the emergency departments will continue to see the sickest patients first, which means, for some patients, there maybe much longer delays than usual.

“We continue to ask the public to help us by only using A&E in a serious or life-threatening emergency. When we’re discharging patients, we ask that their friends or loved ones pick them up from hospital as soon as possible and have everything they need at home.

“I would like to thank our staff for their ongoing efforts during this extremely challenging period and the public for their understanding and co-operation.”