System Critical Incident continues in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

Health and care services across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are facing significant pressure as a system critical incident continues following its declaration last Friday, 3rd January.

With winter bugs, including flu, affecting both patients and staff, services remain extremely busy. Residents are being thanked for their continued support during this challenging time.

Why Was a Critical Incident Declared?

The critical incident was declared due to sustained pressure on Cornwall’s health services, particularly at Treliske Hospital’s emergency department. A surge in flu cases has resulted in almost four times as many hospital inpatients compared to this time last year.

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.”

How Services Are Responding

In response to the crisis, the NHS has introduced several measures, including:

• Opening more beds and bringing in extra staff
• Reducing non-clinical activities, such as postponing meetings
• Providing additional community-based support through services like the Right Care, X-ray, and Falls cars to care for people in their homes instead of taking them to hospital
• Expanding the use of virtual wards to monitor patients at home

Primary care hubs are also providing same-day appointments to help manage demand. An additional 800 appointments are available this week alone, with more than 18,000 urgent appointments delivered between December 2023 and November 2024.

What You Can Do to Help

Residents are encouraged to use alternative services for minor illnesses and injuries to help keep hospital services available for those who need them most. Options include:

• Local pharmacies for over-the-counter medicines
• Minor injury units and urgent treatment centres—check waiting times and opening hours online
• NHS 111 online or via phone
• Booking appointments at GP practices offering primary care hub services

If you have symptoms of an infectious illness such as flu, Covid-19, or norovirus, staying at home, resting, and using over-the-counter remedies is recommended. Regular handwashing can also help reduce the spread of winter bugs.

Helping Loved Ones Leave Hospital

Residents can support the discharge process by speaking with ward staff about available support, including one-off grants to cover personal care costs or essential equipment.

Chris Reid expressed gratitude for the ongoing efforts of healthcare workers, adding:

“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.”

Emergency Services Remain Open for Life-Threatening Cases

Despite the pressures, emergency services remain open for those experiencing life-threatening conditions. Residents are urged to continue using these services when necessary and to attend scheduled appointments unless contacted directly.

For more information on what local health services are available and how they can help visit: https://cios.icb.nhs.uk/help-us/where-is-best/

To find waiting times, opening hours and X-ray facilities at the Urgent Treatment Centre at West Cornwall Hospital and the network of minor injuries units visit: https://royalcornwallhospitals.nhs.uk/waiting-times/urgent-care/

To find your nearest pharmacy visit: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy

NHS 111 online offers help and advice on urgent health issues: https://111.nhs.uk/