SOUTHAMPTON'S biggest hospital has declared a critical incident due to extreme pressure.

University Hospital Southampton is facing "unprecedented" numbers of people turning up to A&E as well as high numbers of patients being admitted with flu and other winter illnesses.

The public is being urged to help the hospital by ensuring patients can get home as soon as possible.

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Dr Trevor Smith, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at UHS, said: "We have been forced to take the decision to declare a critical incident as we are facing significant and sustained pressure from the front door to the back of our hospitals.

"Our priority is having the capacity and ability to provide care to those who most urgently need it.”

A critical incident is a localised incident where the level of disruption affects how the hospital can deliver critical services, patients may have been harmed or the environment is not safe requiring special measures and support from other agencies.

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Dr Smith added: "Our immediate priority is to ensure there are beds available for our most seriously ill patients and we are focussed on safely discharging as many patients as possible.

"We ask that families and loved ones support us with this and collect patients as soon as they are ready to go home.

“We also urge you to not attend the ED unless it’s an emergency and make use of other services in the community such as pharmacists, GPs and urgent treatment centres who may be able to help you quicker.

"For symptoms and advice if you have a child unwell at home, visit the Healthier Together website at https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/ or download the app.

"If you need to know where to get help and support please go to NHS 111 online."

The trust has said it will be reviewing the situation regularly and has thanked the community for its support during this time.

Dr Debbie Chase, Director of Public Health at Southampton City Council said: "Our health and care system is under considerable pressure. 

"Winter is always a challenging time of year with a rising number of admissions from a range of winter illnesses, and so it’s important to know how to access the right support this winter to help relieve these pressures.

"The NHS website provides lots of advice on conditions, symptoms, treating illnesses and injuries, as well as when to seek further support.

"When thinking about the care and services we need, and when we need them, the ‘Use the Right Service’ website also offers help and guidance on how to get the right care in the right place.

"It’s important that we all do our bit to look after ourselves and those around us to reduce the risk of respiratory infections by doing the things we’re all so used to doing already -  washing hands frequently or using hand sanitiser, ventilation and wearing a face covering in crowded enclosed spaces.”

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