Royal Liverpool Hospital has declared a critical incident due to ‘exceptionally high’ flu cases, with patients facing waits of up to 50 hours in A&E.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has urged people to only go to A&E in a genuine medical emergency, instead asking them to visit their GP or call 111.
A spokesperson said the hospital was ‘extremely busy’ as it dealt with a soaring number of patients suffering from flu and other respiratory conditions.
Yesterday, the hospital said its A&E department was at ‘full capacity’, with patients reporting huge wait times.
A spokesperson said: ‘Given the exceptionally high demands on our Emergency Department, especially with flu and respiratory illnesses, and the number of patients we have taken this action to support the safe care and treatment of our patients, which is our absolute priority.’
‘We have a comprehensive plan in place and are taking all the necessary actions to manage the challenging circumstances facing patients and colleagues currently.
‘We are working with partner organisations to ensure those that are medically fit can leave hospital safely and at the earliest opportunity.
‘Colleagues are working incredibly hard to treat people as quickly as possible, however some people will experience longer waits while we treat our sickest patients.’
Patients are being urged to use other services, such as their GP, a local pharmacy, or walk-in centre.
‘The NHS 111 service can be used to help identify the most appropriate service for you and help avoid long waits,’ they added.
‘We have seen an increasing number of people with flu and respiratory illnesses in our Emergency Departments in recent weeks.
‘If you are attending our EDs, patients and visitors should follow some additional infection control measures to help curb the spread of winter viruses such as flu and norovirus.
‘This includes practicing good hand hygiene, only visiting the areas they need to in our hospitals and wearing masks in clinical areas if asked to do so.’
It comes after last week Royal Cornwall Hospital also declared a critical incident, saying its services were under ‘significant pressure’.
Bosses reached the decision on Friday evening after a week of sustained pressure on the main hospital and emergency department.
Kate Shields, chief executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly integrated care board said: ‘We are currently seeing a high number of ambulances waiting outside the Royal Cornwall Hospital and of patients in our emergency department.
‘There are also a large number of patients in Cornwall’s hospitals who are medically fit to be discharged but are awaiting the right care.
‘Declaring a critical incident allows the NHS to take additional, immediate steps to create capacity, help discharge patients, relieve pressure on our emergency department and release ambulances and their crews.’
She continued: ‘We urgently need the public’s support to make sure we can see those who are sickest and have the greatest need. Please only come to the emergency department if you have a life or limb-threatening emergency.
‘Other NHS services are available, and we encourage you to use them whenever possible. These include our network of minor injury units, our urgent treatment centre at West Cornwall Hospital, out-of-hours GP services, local pharmacies and NHS 111.’
Yesterday, the Government announced plans which will see millions more NHS patients receive free treatment in private hospitals in a bid to slash waiting lists.
The Prime Minister pledged to make ‘better use’ of the private sector so sick patients can be seen quicker for a range of issues.
GPs will be forced to actively tell patients when they can get their scans, tests or operations at private clinics.
And appointments will be booked via an updated NHS App or website, which will tell users their expected waiting times at each NHS and private provider, the distance from their home and their care quality ratings.
Patients can then choose between them, with taxpayers footing the bill regardless of the option selected.
Critics have questioned how the extra appointments will be delivered given the country’s shortage of healthcare staff.
The policy is expected to see the number of appointments delivered by the private sector increase by at least a fifth, from 5 million to more than 6 million, each year.
It means private providers are likely to pocket an extra £2.5billion a year in government funding – taking their annual income from the Department of Health and Social Care to almost £16billion.
Health chiefs have previously warned the UK is seeing a ‘skyrocketing’ of flu cases as data shows flu hospital admissions are quadruple that of a month ago.
Figures show more than 4,500 beds alone were taken up by flu patients every day last week, up 3.5 times on the same week last year.
Of these, 211 were in critical care — up 69 per cent on the previous week.
More than 4,100 Brits also spent Christmas Day in hospital with the flu. By December 29, this had risen to over 5,000.
Rates of the winter vomiting bug norovirus, meanwhile, are also 40 per cent higher than expected for this time of year.
Health chiefs fear the ‘extreme’ and ‘dangerous’ cold spell set to hit the UK this weekend will continue to pile pressure on already stretched hospitals.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said: ‘These latest figures show the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the New Year, skyrocketing to over 5,000 cases a day in hospital as of the end of last week and rising at a very concerning rate.
‘On top of flu there is also continual pressure from Covid, while RSV and norovirus hospital cases are also higher than last year, with hospitals putting in place an extra 1,300 beds last week than the same time last year in expectation of this continued pressure from viruses and other demand.
‘With what looks like an extreme cold snap expected right across England ahead of the weekend, we know the low temperatures can be dangerous for those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions.
‘So, if you are at risk, do try and keep warm and make sure you are stocked up on any regular medication.
‘Please continue to use NHS 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions, and only use 999 or attend A&E in life-threatening emergencies.’