The pressure in the health and care system across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has led to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust declaring a critical incident.
The emergency demand for care, and the ongoing challenge of discharging patients who are able to leave hospital into a suitable care setting, is leading to high numbers of patients waiting in the hospitals.
The local healthcare system is working together to maintain safe services for all of our patients. As a result, the system is prioritising patients with the highest level of need to ensure that we are able to manage emergency care, and health and care services continue to work together to resolve the situation as soon as possible. This means that some operations, where patients require a stay in hospital, will be postponed to prioritise patients with the most urgent clinical need.
We are extremely sorry we have had to take this step, but it is important that we focus on patients needing urgent and emergency care as a priority. If you are not contacted directly about an operation being postponed, please continue to attend your appointment as usual.
This is an indication of the serious pressure the system is facing. We are working extremely hard to ensure our patients are kept safe but there are ways that you can help.
Our teams are working exceptionally hard, and we would like to reassure our patients and the public that despite the challenges faced, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if someone requires urgent medical help, they should continue to come forward.
Patients can access the following services to avoid the need to place avoidable demand on ambulance services and Emergency Departments:
- NHS 111 can tell you where to get help for your symptoms if you’re not sure what to do, how to find general health information and advice, where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine and how to get a repeat prescription. You can also call NHS 111 to speak to a clinician and make bookings for urgent treatment centres and other services. The online and telephone services are available 24/7.
- Urgent Treatment Centres treat injuries including sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds and other non-emergency conditions. Waiting times are usually much shorter than A&E. We have UTCs at:
- Nottingham – The NHS Urgent Care 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 admitted at 9.30pm). It can be found on Boundary Road, NG24 4DE
- Sutton In Ashfield Primary Care 24 is open 24 hours a day and can be found at King’s Mill Hospital, NG17 4JL
- Ilkeston Community Hospital – is open 8am – 8pm. It can be found on Heanor Road , Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8LN. You can book into this service via 111.
- Anyone who is in mental health distress should call the Mental Health Crisis Line: 0808 196 3779 – the helpline is open 24 hours a day.
- Pharmacists are experts in medicine who can help you with minor health concerns. As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains. If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need and can signpost you to see a GP or other healthcare professional. Find a pharmacy near you: Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Stuart Poynor Lisa Kelly
Deputy Chief Executive Chief Operating Officer
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB Nottingham University Hospital
