Four hospital trusts declare ‘critical incidents’ amid high demand as flu and norovirus cases surge

Tuesday, 13 January 2026 

Four Hospital Trusts in South East Declare Critical Incidents Amid Winter Pressures

Four hospital trusts across south east England have declared critical incidents as mounting winter pressures place severe strain on NHS services, health officials have confirmed.

NHS Surrey Heartlands said the decision followed “significant and sustained pressures” caused by a surge in complex A&E admissions, rising cases of flu and norovirus, and increased staff sickness. The recent cold snap has also contributed to higher hospital admissions among frail and vulnerable patients.

The critical incidents in Surrey affect three trusts: Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

In Kent, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust has also declared a critical incident due to sustained pressure at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. The trust said it is facing exceptionally high demand driven by continued high admission rates and a large number of patients suffering from winter illnesses and respiratory viruses.

“Beds across our hospitals are currently full, and attendance at our emergency departments remains extremely high,” the trust said, adding that there is very limited capacity to admit further patients requiring acute care.

NHS Surrey Heartlands explained that declaring a critical incident allows trusts to escalate their response and prioritise essential services. Officials cited a sharp increase in complex A&E attendances and ongoing difficulties discharging patients who are medically fit to leave hospital.

The developments follow similar declarations across other parts of the country in recent days. Hospital trusts in Birmingham, Staffordshire and parts of Wales have also reported extreme pressure on services. Over the weekend, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in south east Wales said it was experiencing sustained strain, later confirming a significant rise in norovirus cases across Gwent.

Last week, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust in Staffordshire, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in North Wales all reported exceptionally high demand.

Flu and Winter Illnesses Drive Surge

NHS England has linked the latest pressures to a rebound in winter viruses following Christmas and New Year gatherings. Data released last week showed that an average of 2,924 patients were hospitalised with flu each day in the week ending 4 January, a 9% increase from the previous week.

Figures also revealed a sharp rise in ambulance handover delays, with more patients waiting at least 30 minutes in ambulances outside hospitals. Meanwhile, bed occupancy across England rose by 5% in a week to just under 92%.

A critical incident is declared when pressure on local NHS services becomes so severe that essential care can no longer be delivered safely or effectively.

Health leaders have urged the public to continue using NHS services appropriately, including NHS 111 and community care options where possible, as hospitals grapple with one of the most challenging winter periods in recent years.