50 hours in A&E

Hospitals declare critical incidents in 'quad-demic' crisis

- HOLLIE BONE

PATIENTS are waiting more than two days to be seen as hospitals and ambulance services across the country declare critical incidents amid soaring flu cases.

Waiting times reached up to 50 hours at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital’s emergency department yesterday as the NHS Trust said it faced “exceptionally high demand”.

Critical incidents were also in place for hospitals in Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Birmingham, as well as the East Midlands Ambulance Service.

NHS England medical director P rofe ss o r S i r Stephen Powis said: “Frontline NHS staff are under significant pressure. Demand is showing no signs of letting up.”