Below is a statement from Trish Armstrong-Child, Chief Executive of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals:
“Due to the continued increase in demand and high numbers of extremely unwell patients attending our Emergency Care Department yesterday, we have had to call an internal critical incident.
“In doing so, it has enabled us to take a number of actions to try and relieve the pressures in the hospital. We are working closely with other health and social care partners to do all we can to prioritise our patients requiring acute hospital care and increase the flow of patients out of the hospital. We are also seeking mutual support where possible.
“We will continue to work hard to address the level of demand on our services and urge the public to help us, too, by using alternative health care support unless they are experiencing serious or life-threatening illnesses.
Our colleagues are doing an incredible job in very challenging circumstances. Please continue to support them by accessing the most appropriate care – call NHS 111 first, this is a 24-hour service providing professional advice to get you the right care in the right place at the right time.”