A Nottinghamshire hospital's urgent treatment centre has had its busiest ever day. Newark Hospital's urgent treatment centre treated 135 patients on Monday, December 19.
The figure is more than double the average number of attendances seen at the site in December 2021, where hospital staff treated 64 patients each day. Nottinghamshire health leaders declared a system-wide critical incident on the same day.
Sherwood Forest Hospitals (SFH), which runs Newark Hospital as well as King's Mill and Mansfield Community hospitals, said it is continuing to care for 88 patients who have been medically fit to be discharged for more than 24 hours.
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Leaders at the NHS trust have warned members of the public to use the right services for their needs. David Ainsworth, director of strategy and partnerships, said the urgent treatment centre in Newark was "exceptionally busy".
“The single most important thing that the people of Newark and the local area can do to support our hardworking NHS staff is to only attend our hospitals if you really do need to," he said. “Your local NHS is here for you this winter, but it’s essential that we keep our hospitals free for those that really do need them most.
“We all have a part to play in this by considering whether you can get the advice you need from your local pharmacy, by calling NHS111 or by visiting 111.nhs.uk online to get the advice you need before you visit our hospitals this winter.” Patients have been advised to only bring one person to accompany them and to wear a face mask.
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