Nottinghamshire’s NHS has announced a critical incident due to junior doctors going on strike. Health bosses have reported that hospitals in the city and county are crowded and patients are facing long waiting times for the treatment. On Wednesday at 07:00 GMT, the British Medical Association (BMA) launched industrial action over paid leave. While at 16:30, the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), announced a critical incident due to huge demand for all service with hospitals being overloaded with patients arriving at emergency departments.
Health bosses have warned that the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) and other hospitals in the area are under extreme pressure. The ICB has said that the high number of patients and staff shortages has led to extended delays for patients in the accident and emergency units. Moreover, those being shifted to wards are also facing delayed.
Dr Dave Briggs, the ICB’s medical director, has urged the public to consider alternatives to A&E like a GP, NHS 111 or pharmacy. He said that overcrowding in hospitals is putting patients’ safety at risk and urged people to use the health care services sensibly. The BMA is demanding payment for overtime work, which could impact on patient care.
The NHS sees large numbers of patients without appointments and is concerned that pay rates like salaried employees would lead to long waiting times. As of 16:00 GMT on Wednesday, the strike was still ongoing and the NHS in Nottinghamshire requested that people who do not need emergency care stay away from the hospital
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