Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is asking members of local communities to help ease the pressures they are currently experiencing after declaring a critical incident.

They are now urging the public to help them to be able to safely discharge patients home to free up hospital beds.

A statement released yesterday (Thursday 29 December) by the Trust, said: "Today (29 December), we have declared a critical incident due to the large number of very poorly people arriving at our Emergency Department (ED) who need to be admitted to our hospitals suffering with respiratory conditions.

"This demand is causing very long waits for patients to be seen and long waits to be admitted to a ward, causing overcrowding in our ED."

Statistics released by the Trust show that as of yesterday there were more than 220 people in ED at the Queen's Medical Centre with more than 70 patients waiting to be admitted to a ward.

More than 160 patients in their hospitals have been medically fit to be discharged for more than 24 hours and are waiting to be discharged.

They are currently caring for 173 patients with flu and a further 122 patients with COVID on their wards.

The statement continued: "In addition the health and care system in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has declared a critical incident, affecting health services across the city and county, including Sherwood Forest Hospitals. 

"We are taking additional steps to prioritise and maintain safe services for patients. Our aim is to prioritise patients with the highest level of need and ensure that we continue to be able to manage emergency care.

"Our teams are continuing to work exceptionally hard and we would like to reassure the public that despite the challenges faced, our emergency services remain open and you should continue to come forward as normal in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk."

Members of the public are advised that they can help by collecting relatives that are due to be discharged from hospital as early as possible. This will help the staff and free up a hospital bed for someone waiting to be admitted.

They are also asked to only call 999 or attend A&E departments for serious accidents and for life threatening emergencies. Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS111 online or by calling 111. Pharmacies can offer over the counter advice and treat common illnesses such as colds, sore throats, stings and allergies.

Dr Keith Girling, Medical Director at NUH, said: "Our staff are working tirelessly to get patients home safely and in a timely manner.

"With the busy holiday period, often families aren't ready or prepared for their loved one to come home and we are asking for their support to help our discharge teams get those patients who are medically fit back home as soon as possible.

"There are some really simple things that can help, like collecting your relatives as soon as possible, setting up a bedroom in their home or going to their house to stock the fridge and pop the heating on."