Medway Hospital Declares Critical Incident Amid Soaring Demand
A&E Visits Surge, Hospital Strains Under Pressure
Medway NHS Foundation Trust has declared a critical incident. A hospital spokesperson revealed a “significant increase” in demand, with A&E visits on the rise and delays in discharging patients well enough to leave. This tricky move aims to prioritise patient safety and keep vital services running.
What This Means for Patients
- Non-urgent operations and outpatient appointments are being delayed to free up resources.
- Urgent surgeries and appointments will be prioritised above all else.
- Patients affected by rescheduling will be contacted directly by hospital staff.
- If your appointment hasn’t been rescheduled, attend as planned.
- Can’t make it? Call the number on your appointment letter to free up the slot for others.
A spokesperson said, “We understand the frustration this causes and apologise for any inconvenience. But patient safety comes first – those with the greatest clinical need must be seen urgently.”
How You Can Help
Hospital teams are working flat out to keep essential services running for emergencies. You can ease the burden by only heading to A&E for serious accidents or life-threatening conditions.
For non-emergencies, visit NHS 111 online or call 111 for expert advice 24/7 on the best care for your needs.
