NHS hospital on ‘black alert’ as ’12-hour A&E delays’ and cancelled ops spark chaos
A Cambridge University Hospital spokesman said the hospital is at the highest level of alert as a leaked newsletter shows the extent of the crisis at Addenbrooke's Hospital
A HOSPITAL in Cambridgeshire has declared a major internal incident, cancelling ALL operations even cancer and urgent cases, a leaked document reveals.
An internal newsletter shows the extent of the crisis an Addenbrooke's Hospital with no beds available, diverted ambulances and all operations cancelled - even cancer and urgent surgeries.
The Cambridge University Trust called the cancellation of every operation an 'extraordinary' event.
It has also been reported that in the last 24 hours patients have had to queue out the door at A&E and some patients reportedly had to wait more than 12 hours to be seen.
The hospital confirmed earlier today they were operating at the 'highest level of alert'.
The leaked newsletter, dated today says there are currently NO beds available, 33 outstanding bed requests and 50 patients waiting in A&E.
It also says all surgery has been cancelled, even operations for cancer and urgent cases.
The document says: "We have taken the extraordinary action to cancel all planned surgery including cancer and urgent cases, to free up resources across the organisation."
Ward G3 is closed entirely due to infection control issues and all non emergency meetings have been cancelled.
The hospital is also using a day surgery unit as a temporary discharging facility.
According to the leaked document there were 316 people who attended A&E yesterday with 131 breaches of the four-hour wait target.
Since midnight there have been an additional 79 breaches of the target waiting time.
The hospital is diverting ambulances and the hospital is pleading with people to only go to A&E in an absolute emergency.
Across social media people have been detailing their stories from the last 24 hours.
Sinead Benton wrote on Facebook: “I was there with my sister last night the queue was out of the door at 4.30pm she had to stand outside for an hour even though she could barely keep herself up right to then have to wait in the waiting room for 4 hours to be seen. To then wait in the assessment area for a bed. Didn’t get the ward until 2am.”
Karen Isaacson also wrote on Facebook: “My father in law, 87, has just been sent home, cancelled operation for cancer... In at 7am sent home at 10am really not fair very stressful for him!”
A Cambridge University Hospital spokesman said: “We can confirm that the hospital is at Opel Level Four, the highest level of alert, after seeing exceptional levels of acutely unwell patients needing inpatient beds. We are taking action to ease pressures and create flow through the hospital.
“We are temporarily diverting ambulances to other trusts and elective surgery has been cancelled. We would like to apologise to patients for the inconvenience.
“Patients can help us at this time by only coming into A&E if it is an accident or emergency and by not bringing large numbers of family or friends into the department where seating is at a premium.
"Details of further medical support can be found on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group website.”
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