Cornwall NHS Declares Critical Incident Due to Severe Strain on Services

High ambulance queues and overcrowded emergency departments prompt urgent measures to manage rising patient numbers.

The NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board has declared a critical incident due to sustained pressure on health services.
The Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro is facing long ambulance delays and overcrowding in its emergency department.
Many patients medically fit for discharge remain in the hospital, awaiting appropriate care arrangements.
Declaring a critical incident allows the NHS to expedite discharges, free up emergency resources, and prioritize urgent care needs.
Health officials urge the public to avoid the emergency department unless facing life-threatening conditions, and to utilize alternative care options such as minor injury units and NHS 111.