SOUTHEND Hospital has declared a “critical incident” as ambulances have been forced to queue outside today in the Covid hotspot area.
Twelve ambulances have had to wait outside the hospital today, unable to let patients out due to the emergency department being overwhelmed.
The hospital has declared an “internal critical incident” due to “significant flow challenges”, the BBC reported.
An NHS source reportedly said the hospital is full, and staff have been left exhausted.
More patients are reportedly being admitted to the hospital than are leaving.
Coronavirus cases in Southend are rising, with an infection rate of 190 – up from 138.2 last week.
Nearby Basildon has the third-highest infection rate in England at 433.8, which is a jump from 302.9 a week ago.
Tom Abell, deputy chief executive for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Southend Hospital is extremely busy today with a high number of patients who need our care.
“We are working hard to see people as quickly as possible in our emergency department, and to make sure there are beds for those who need them in the hospital.
“While we work to improve the situation we would ask anyone who doesn’t need emergency care to call 111 and look for alternative options.”
