Walsall Manor Hospital's 'critical incident' finally over after two days of winter pressures

On Monday Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust said staff were seeing increased numbers of patients requiring hospital treatment particularly patients with breathing ailments. 

Chiefs declared a 'critical incident' which is continued for most of New Year's Eve. However, it has now been lifted. 

Neighbouring hospitals said doctors and nurses are were experiencing an increase in attendances, but there were no 'critical incidents' reported at Wolverhampton's New Cross, Dudley's Russells Hall, Smethwick's Midland Metropolitan University hospitals and none at the University Hospital North Midlands (UHNM) covering Staffordshire.

UHNM's Chief Medical Officer Dr Matthew Lewis said: "During the festive period our hospitals have seen an increase in attendances and are currently very busy.

 “Local people should still come to our emergency departments if they have serious, life-threatening conditions that need immediate medical attention, such as chest pain, loss of consciousness, acute confusion, severe blood loss, serious burns, broken bones, suspected stroke - visitors should not come into hospital if they have symptoms of flu, norovirus, Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses."

Walsall Manor's chief operating officer Will Roberts urged residents to take advantage of flu, Covid-19 and RSV jabs, and to visit chemists for general illness advice or phone the  NHS 111 for those who need more urgent medical attention. 

“At Walsall Manor, we are currently seeing increased numbers of people requiring hospital care - predominantly with respiratory conditions – and this inevitably impacts patient flow elsewhere," he said. 

"But we are working with our teams in both the hospital and community, as well as with our partners, to support patients who can be cared for at home and to help patients to be safely discharged where appropriate."

Meanwhile a new flu watch video released by Midland Metropolitan University operator Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has taken off on social media platform Tik Tok so far attracting 1.4 million views. It features timely advice on how to look after yourself by accident and emergency matron Michael Brennan.