The Royal Blackburn Hospital has issued a red alert, warning patients in its accident and emergency (A&E) department to expect waits of up to 15 hours due to an overwhelming number of critically ill patients. On Monday evening, the hospital reported having 138 patients in its emergency unit, significantly stretching its resources.
Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain has called for urgent government intervention, emphasizing the extreme pressure the hospital is facing. He noted that the number of patients presenting to the A&E appears to be even higher than during the Covid-19 pandemic, and expressed concerns about the ongoing nature of the crisis. Hussain pledged to work closely with the hospital and raise the issue with Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
The MP stressed the urgent need for solutions to alleviate the pressure on both patients and staff, particularly with the approaching winter months, which are expected to increase demand. While Hussain confirmed that the hospital is not understaffed, noting that nurse vacancies have been filled and hundreds of new student nurses are available, he pointed out that the situation remains exceptionally challenging.
Sharon Gilligan, deputy chief executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT), which runs the Royal Blackburn Hospital, apologized to patients and their families for the long waiting times. She praised the staff for their continued hard work and resilience under extreme pressure, and acknowledged the difficult environment in which they are operating.
To manage the crisis, ELHT has been collaborating with the ambulance service to identify patients who could be treated at home by community care teams instead of in the hospital. The Trust has also launched a hotline to help people concerned about deteriorating health, directing them to the most appropriate care options.
Despite these efforts, the ongoing strain on the hospital highlights the urgent need for additional resources and support to ensure that patients receive timely care in an increasingly pressured NHS environment.