Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says it made the call on the morning of Tuesday, January 7 as a high admission rate has put pressure on services.
The trust also said a high number of infectious patients requiring isolation and a low discharge rate contributed to the decision, which they say has ‘not been taken lightly’.
READ MORE: LIVE: Hospital declares critical incident amid ‘unusually high’ winter virus cases
The trust said that beds across both hospitals are full and attendance at emergency departments is ‘extremely high’ leading to no capacity to admit further patients requiring care.
Julie Dawes, chief nurse for Hampshire Hospitals, attributed the rise in infectious patients to an ‘unusually high level of winter viruses with a significant number of patients presenting with respiratory issues’.
She added: “There are two ways the public can help at this time; firstly, by only attending our Emergency Departments if acutely unwell or injured; and secondly by collecting loved ones who are ready for discharge.
“Our ward teams can help with medication or equipment so if you can, please have the conversation and collect loved ones; this will free up capacity for someone who is in need of hospital treatment and care.”
The chief nurse added that anyone suffering from a winter virus is advised to stay home and rest as well as ‘drink plenty of fluids’ and use over-the-counter medication ‘such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to assist with managing symptoms’.
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Residents are being urged to only attend the hospitals’ Accident and Emergency departments for a life-threatening illness or injury as attending for any other reason ‘will mean an extremely long wait’.
The trust added that it is currently reviewing patients scheduled for elective procedures and appointments, with residents asked to assume procedures or appointments will go ahead as planned unless they are contacted directly.
The call comes less than a month after Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust last declared a critical incident on December 16, 2024.
The trust also attributed a lack of hospital space and an increase in patients in December to a high number of infectious patients requiring isolation, a high admission rate and a low discharge rate.
A spokesperson concluded: “Everything is being done to increase capacity for urgent emergency care in our hospitals and we appreciate the public’s support and patience during this time. ”