Critical incidents declared at two hospitals

Critical incidents have been declared at two hospitals in Staffordshire, both of which are experiencing "extremely high demand" for services.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust has enforced the measure at its Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford.

The trust said both hospitals are currently under "extreme pressure", particularly over the past 24 hours.

Katy Thorpe, chief operating officer at the trust, said the move will help the hospitals take additional measures to "maintain safe services for our patients".

"As anticipated, the pressure is greatest in our emergency departments, who are facing on-going challenges as patients are unable to be admitted to beds promptly," she said.

"During this time the emergency departments will continue to see the sickest patients first, which means for some patients there may be much longer delays for their treatment."

The trust has made a plea to patients to only use the A&E services in a serious or life-threatening emergency.

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