A West Midlands hospital trust declared a critical incident after huge pressures left services stretched and left people facing long waits for care. Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) has been under extreme strain this week with the huge demand for care leaving staff struggling to cope.

The trust runs Sandwell Hospital in West Bromwich and City Hospital in Winson Green. Bosses issued an urgent message to patients to only come to A&E if absolutely necessary and to ensure they have all the vaccinations available to them for Covid and flu.

The overwhelmed trust said the critical incident had now been stood down externally but emergency measures would remain in place "until we are in a more stable position". The declaration of a critical incident is an acknowledgement that hospitals are under severe strain and struggling to provide care for everyone who needs it, as patients in greatest need are prioritised.

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SWB chief executive Richard Beeken said: “Our colleagues have worked tirelessly over and above what is expected to ensure the safety of our patients, meaning that we have been able to stand down our critical incident externally. However, the situation remains challenging, so we are continuing the measures we put in place (on Wednesday) and plan to do so until we are in a more stable position.

“As a whole team effort across the trust I would like to thank all staff who have pulled together to deliver for our patients and ask for understanding from anyone who has had to wait longer than they expected for emergency care. I would like to remind people of the actions they can do to support their NHS and prevent critical incidents becoming normal in winter.

"Simple things to do are, get the vaccinations you are offered - Covid is still with us, and flu is on the rise. Do not delay seeking medical help - NHS111 online can advise what you should do, as well as the alternatives to A&E which may be more appropriate and provide treatment quicker for certain patients.

"You can also help yourself by ensuring you have stocked up on your repeat prescriptions and have over the counter medications at home, such as painkillers, decongestants, and indigestion tablets.”