A&E for life-threatening cases only, says hospital

Hospitals in Surrey and Sussex say they are experiencing challenges due to the extreme temperatures.

In Surrey, people have been told to only attend the emergency department at the East Surrey Hospital in Redhill for life-threatening illnesses or injuries.

Surrey and Sussex NHS Healthcare Trust said the department was experiencing significant demand due to the extreme weather conditions.

Meanwhile in Sussex, the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust said some planned procedures have had to be postponed due to the heat.

With the hot weather expected to continue into the weekend the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust - which covers sites including the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath, St Richard's in Chichester and Worthing Hospital - is asking visitors to consider whether travelling to the hospital is essential.

The hospital said reducing footfall helped maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Earlier this week the hospital declared a critical incident due to high demand on its emergency care services, due to high temperatures which was subsequently stood down.

In a social media post the Sussex health trust said the high temperature was "affecting how specialist equipment operates" and some planned procedures had to be postponed.

The trust said: "We know this will be very disappointing and upsetting for patients."

It said a Trust Heatwave Plan was in place to allow the hospital "to prioritise the most urgent and emergency care, including our major trauma services".

Patients are advised to still attend appointments unless they are contacted directly.

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