Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) has announced it is stepping down the critical incident declared last week at Basingstoke and Winchester hospitals. The decision, made after significant improvements in capacity and patient flow, comes as the result of public cooperation and the tireless work of hospital staff and system partners.
The critical incident, declared on Tuesday, January 7, was prompted by sustained pressures on services, including the impact of a severe flu strain. In response, the Trust had urged residents to avoid Emergency Departments (ED) unless in need of critical or life-saving care, turning instead to NHS 111, GPs, pharmacies, or Minor Injury Units for non-urgent needs.
Andy Hyett, chief operating officer of Hampshire Hospitals, expressed gratitude to the public for heeding this advice.
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He said: “We are enormously grateful to the public for the way in which they are supporting our staff by only coming to the Emergency Department if seriously ill or injured.
“Treating those who need us most is our priority and the public’s efforts is making a real difference. Although stepping down from a critical incident is positive and testament to the hard work of our staff and the support of our system partners, we are not out of the woods yet and are unlikely to be for many weeks to come.”
While the Trust has regained crucial bed capacity, the public is being asked to continue supporting hospital teams by using appropriate healthcare services and collecting discharged loved ones promptly to free up beds for other patients.
With winter pressures persisting, including a surge in flu cases, hospital leaders warn that ED waits for non-life-threatening conditions will remain long.
“We ask that people continue seeking treatment and healthcare elsewhere unless very unwell,” Mr Hyett added.
Readers are reminded to use NHS 111 for advice, speak to local pharmacists and GPs, and take steps such as self-care with over-the-counter remedies to manage minor illnesses.
The Trust’s focus remains on preventing a return to critical status while ensuring care is available for those who need it most.
HHFT is advising readers to continue supporting teams by:
- Ringing 111 or using 111.nhs.uk for help and advice if unwell
- Speaking to local pharmacists and GPs
- Attending Minor Injury Units or Urgent Treatment Centres
- Undertaking self-care: using paracetamol or ibuprofen as instructed to manage a fever, keeping warm and hydrated