Overview
- Royal Surrey, Epsom and St Helier, and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare escalated to critical incidents, with NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB also declaring to coordinate the response.
- Trusts cite a surge in complex A&E attendances, difficulties discharging patients, flu and norovirus outbreaks, staff sickness, and recent cold weather as key pressures.
- Hospitals warn some non-urgent operations and outpatient appointments may be rescheduled, while urgent care and cancer treatments remain prioritised and patients should attend unless contacted.
- Pressure indicators worsened last week, with about 33% of ambulance arrivals waiting at least 30 minutes for handover and an average of 361 beds occupied daily by diarrhoea, vomiting or norovirus-like cases.
- Officials urge vaccination, handwashing, staying home when unwell, using NHS 111 and pharmacies for non-urgent needs, and family support for prompt hospital discharges.