NHS Trust declares critical incident at Isle of Wight hospital

This is the fourth time in as many months that the Trust has declared a critical incident.

The Trust has issued a plea to Islanders to only come to the emergency department (ED) for life-threatening conditions and injuries, as it responds to a high number of people needing urgent and emergency care at St Mary’s Hospital. 

It also says it is facing challenges in discharging people from the hospital. 

St Mary's Hospital in Newport. (Image: Google Maps)

To maintain the safety of services, some planned surgical activity has been postponed but will continue to prioritise cancer treatment and urgent operations, as well as people who have already had long waits for their treatment. 

Some outpatient appointments may also be affected.

Steve Parker, medical director, said: “The situation is serious, but we are taking urgent steps to ensure the safety of our services.

“We must improve the flow of patients through the hospital, and we are appealing to our local community to help by making sure loved ones are collected from hospital when they are ready to leave. This will free up beds for those who need them.

“We urge you not to attend the ED unless it’s an emergency: NHS 111 online can help you find where to get help and support.”

How can you help the Isle of Wight NHS Trust?

• Collect family and friends from hospital as soon as they are ready to be discharged, to free up beds for those who need them.
• Visit NHS 111 online, or call NHS 111 for health advice, or contact your local pharmacist or GP.
• Think about the most appropriate NHS service for your needs and only call 999 in the event of a life-threatening illness or injury.

Steve continued: "Please have a COVID vaccination if you are offered one. Vaccination will protect not only yourself but others around you. 

"We are seeing a rise in COVID cases on the Island, and the number of people in our hospital with COVID is increasing rapidly to levels beyond what we saw during the pandemic."