10 January: Update on NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire critical incident

A critical incident covering the whole Nottingham and Nottinghamshire NHS system remains in place (10 January 2024).

The critical incident was declared by NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire on 3 January, in response to the high number of people needing care, combined with a reduction in staffing levels, which have led to very long waits in our A&E departments and for admission to our wards.

Although staffing levels have now improved, the system remains under severe pressure, and we are not yet in a position to remove the critical incident status. The increased demand is due to a number of factors, particularly the number of people presenting with seasonal and respiratory illnesses such as flu and Covid.

Declaring a critical incident has enabled NHS organisations in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to work even closer together by sharing resources, spreading demand more evenly and appropriately across different services and closer collaboration with social care colleagues to speed up discharges. This is helping to significantly reduce the impact of staff shortages and additional demand we have been experiencing.

How you can help us

We are grateful for your support, understanding and for continuing to follow advice to only attend A&E if you have a life-threatening illness or injury that cannot be treated elsewhere.

Please continue to follow this advice and use the most appropriate NHS service for your condition. If it is a non-life threatening condition and you are unsure which NHS service is most appropriate, go online to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

Further help and support:

Pharmacies

Pharmacies can offer over-the-counter advice and treat common illnesses such as colds, sore throats, stings and allergies. Many pharmacies are offering additional services for common conditions including urinary tract infections, middle ear infections in young children, skin infections including impetigo, infected eczema and infected insect bites. Find your nearest pharmacy.

NHS 111

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are unsure where you should go, NHS 111 can help – search online for “NHS 111” or dial 111 from any phone. A trained operator will make sure you are seen in the right place and by the right person. They can even book you an appointment at an out of hours GP or at your nearest urgent treatment centre.

Self-help

Many conditions can be treated at home with rest and/or over-the-counter medicines.The NHS website has information on a huge range of conditions, with advice on how and where to best to treatment.

Advice on children’s illnesses

If you are concerned about a symptom your child has then we have developed web pages to provide you with consistent and high-quality advice from local health professionals about common childhood illnesses, including advice on what ‘red-flag’ signs to look out for, where to seek help if required and how long your child’s symptoms are likely to last. You can access these pages on our website.

Urgent treatment centres

Urgent Treatment Centres are open every day, including weekends. Urgent treatment centres provide medical help when it’s not a life-threatening emergency. No appointment is necessary.

They can diagnose and deal with many of the common problems people go to A&E for. We have two urgent treatment centres:

• Nottingham – The NHS Urgent Treatment Centre (next to the BBC building) is open every day from 7am-7pm. You don’t need an appointment to attend. Seaton House, London Road, Nottingham, NG2 4LA Tel: 0115 883 8500

• Newark – Newark Hospital is open 9am-10pm (last patient seen at 9.30pm). It can be found on Boundary Road, Newark NG24 4DE

Your GP

For persistent symptoms, chronic pain and health concerns, make an appointment with your GP. As well as booking by phone, many practices now offer online booking or via the NHS app. Contact 111 is you need to see an out of hours GP.

Support your relatives to get home from hospital

Nobody wants to be in hospital any longer than they need to be, so supporting relatives to return home from hospital when they are medically fit is beneficial for the patient and the NHS. Help with practical arrangements like transport, making sure they have a key, that there is food and drink at home and that they have medication and any equipment they need to aid their recovery can make a huge difference.

Access mental health support

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have a mental health crisis line which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to people of all ages. Call 0808 196 3779.

Covid and flu vaccinations

Covid, flu and other winter viruses are circulating at the moment. Make sure you are protected from winter illnesses by getting your COVID and flu vaccinations, if you are eligible. You can get your vaccinations from a pharmacy, find out which pharmacies are offering vaccinations on the NHS pharmacy finder website

Only use A&E and 999 in emergencies

Only call 999 or attend A&E departments for serious accidents and for genuine emergencies.

For more information on knowing where to go for medical care, head to our website: https://notts.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/urgent-and-non-urgent-care/

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