Concerns over pressures on hospital staff after visits suspended in Southampton

University Hospital Southampton has taken the "difficult decision" to suspend visitations for patients.

It comes after an increase in norovirus cases and rising numbers of Covid-19 positive patients. 

But now, South Central Ambulance Service has also declared a critical incident, citing "extreme pressures" on the service as its reasoning. 

READ MORE: University Hospital Southampton suspends visiting amid norovirus and coronavirus cases

South Central Ambulance Service.

However, the hospital has stated it is "taking all the measures it can" to ensure it can treat people who are most in need. 

Joe Teape, Chief Operating Officer at UHS told the Echo: "That is proving increasingly challenging with very high numbers of attendances in our Emergency Department and significant numbers of people who we are unable to discharge, despite being medically fit, due to pressures on the wider system.

“We are also caring for increasing numbers of covid positive patients as numbers in the community rise, which also means more of our staff are unable to come to work due to isolation or illness.

"All this means that we are unable to move people through our hospital and home quickly."

The hospital is now asking the community to help to ensure it can treat people who need it the most.

READ MORE: South Central Ambulance Service declares critical incident

It is currently getting 400 daily attendances in its emergency department and is now calling for people to use alternative services if their condition is not life-threatening.

Mr Teape added: "Our clinicians will always see the people who are in need of emergency treatment, but those who have non-life-threatening injury or illness can make it quicker for us to do that by seeking medical help through 111 online, Urgent Treatment Centres or pharmacies."

Health leaders have also issued an urgent plea to communities for help amid a "perfect storm" of rising pressure on services and rising Covid-19 cases. 

According to NHS data, there are currently 126 patients with Covid-19 at UHS, a huge rise from just one month ago when there were around 50. 

Mark Ainsworth, Director of Operations at South Central Ambulance Service, added that the Trust's critical incident came as a result of current demand. 

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A "large volume of calls" are currently being received, he said, with added pressures with ambulances being delayed from leaving busy acute hospitals.

"This then impacts our ability to get crews back on the road to respond to patients.

"Our staff and volunteers continue to work extremely hard to respond to calls and incidents and we continue to prioritise those patients with life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

"For some patients whose situation is not a life-threatening or serious emergency, we have been discussing their needs, providing advice and urging to them If to make their own way to hospital."