NHS issues update as System Critical Incident at Treliske continues

Residents are being reminded to use pharmacies, GPs, and minor injury units for minor illnesses and injuries as a Critical Incident continues at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

In an update issued on Monday evening, NHS Cornwall thanked residents for their ongoing support.

The incident was first declared on Friday as winter bugs, including flu, affect patients and staff, leading to high demand on health and care services.

The system-wide critical incident was called due to continued pressure on health and care services, particularly Cornwall’s main hospital at Treliske and its emergency department.

"Our hospitals and staffing have been impacted by the current surge in flu cases as well as other winter bugs," the NHS said.

According to the NHS in Cornwall, over the last month there have been nearly four times as many hospital inpatients with flu compared to a year ago. Staff are working tirelessly to provide care based on people's clinical needs, which may mean redirecting individuals who come to the emergency department to alternative services if they can be treated elsewhere.

Local residents are urged to make use of local pharmacies, GP practices, and minor injury unit services for minor illnesses or injuries, to keep hospital services available for those who need them most.

The update includes the following measures:

• Extra GP Appointments: Working with local GP practices, extra same-day GP appointments are available to book via GP practices at central primary care hub locations across Cornwall. Over 800 extra appointments are available this week, and over 18,000 same-day urgent GP appointments were provided between December 2023 and November 2024.

• Support for Discharge: People with a friend or family member ready to leave hospital are encouraged to speak to ward staff about available support. This includes one-off grants to cover additional costs, personal care, or equipment that could help someone return home sooner.

• Managing Winter Bugs: Anyone with symptoms of an infectious illness such as flu, COVID-19, or norovirus is urged to stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, and use over-the-counter medicines to ease symptoms. Regular hand washing is also recommended to help prevent the spread of winter bugs.

Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, said:
"Over the last month, we have seen almost four times as many hospital inpatients with flu as we did a year ago. Calling a system critical incident allows us to stand down non-urgent work and focus on seeing more patients in our primary care hubs, getting people home from hospital, and helping keep them from needing to be admitted.

"I want to thank all of our hardworking colleagues across the health and care system who work tirelessly all year round but are under particular pressure when our services are so busy."
 

The NHS is asking the public to consider alternatives to the emergency department, including:

• Minor Injury Units and Urgent Treatment Centres: Check waiting times and opening hours online.
• NHS 111: Use the online service or call for advice.
• GPs and Pharmacies: Access local services for minor ailments.