‘Severe pressure’ at Princess Royal Hospital A&E triggers emergency incident

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust, which also runs the Royal County Hospital in Brighton, said admissions to the hospital on August 6, were up 20 per cent compared to last year.

The newspaper was informed today (August 7) that the trust declared a ‘major incident’ and there were more than 30 patients waiting in A&E or in ambulances.

A spokesperson for Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “The Royal Sussex County Hospital has been extremely busy this week, particularly yesterday.

“This led to us declaring an ‘internal incident’ which provides an action plan for our staff and our partner organisations to focus on ensuring we can continue to give safe care for our patients.

“The unrelenting pressure on our services does mean that some patients have to wait longer than we would like to be treated in our emergency departments.

“All patients who do have to wait in A&E are seen by a clinician within twenty minutes of arriving in the department, are made as comfortable as possible and are regularly monitored in a safe environment.”

Last week the paper reported patients attending A&E at the two hospitals have to wait longer than nearly everywhere else in the country.

Figures released by NHS England reveal only 79.9 per cent of patients at the Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton were seen within the recommended time of fours hours in the week ending June 26.

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