Hospitals across the east of England have been placed on "black alert" as staff and wards are overwhelmed by high patient numbers.
Hospitals across the east of England have been placed on "black alert" as staff and wards are overwhelmed by high patient numbers.
Non-urgent cases have been sent home after up to 10 ambulances were left queuing outside one hospital.
Non-urgent cases have been sent home after up to 10 ambulances were left queuing outside one hospital.
Few or no beds are free at Addenbrooke's, Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, and the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston.
Few or no beds are free at Addenbrooke's, Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, and the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston.
Patient numbers have been blamed for the alert, used for major incidents.
Patient numbers have been blamed for the alert, used for major incidents.
Beds blocked
Beds blocked
The alert status means plans designed to enable staff to cope with major incidents, such as terrorist attacks and train crashes, are put into action.
The alert status means plans designed to enable staff to cope with major incidents, such as terrorist attacks and train crashes, are put into action.
At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), which announced it had reached the emergency status on Wednesday afternoon, managers worked with other agencies to discharge non-urgent patients from the 1,000-bed hospital to create space.
At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), which announced it had reached the emergency status on Wednesday afternoon, managers worked with other agencies to discharge non-urgent patients from the 1,000-bed hospital to create space.
However, the hospital said that between sixty and seventy beds were still being blocked because patients who were medically fit to leave had no where to go.
However, the hospital said that between 60 and 70 beds were still being blocked because patients who were medically fit to leave had no where to go.
It urged people with minor injuries not to attend the A&E.
It urged people with minor injuries not to attend the A&E.
'Diarrhoea and vomiting'
'Diarrhoea and vomiting'
Paramedics treated patients in ambulances outside the NNUH on Wednesday evening.
Paramedics treated patients in ambulances outside the NNUH on Wednesday evening.
A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "Most things we can manage - it only becomes critical to get someone out of the ambulance and into the hospital if someone is bleeding to death or in full cardiac arrest needing resuscitation.
A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "Most things we can manage - it only becomes critical to get someone out of the ambulance and into the hospital if someone is bleeding to death or in full cardiac arrest needing resuscitation.
"There were serious condition patients but they were being treated at the NNUH by hospital staff."
"There were serious condition patients but they were being treated at the NNUH by hospital staff."
NNUH spokesman Andrew Stronach said there was no single incident that brought on the beds crisis.
NNUH spokesman Andrew Stronach said there was no single incident that brought on the beds crisis.
"It's just general run of the mill problems, like chest pains, collapses, diarrhoea and vomiting."
"It's just general run of the mill problems, like chest pains, collapses, diarrhoea and vomiting."
The James Paget hospital and the Queen Elizabeth in Kings Lynn said there were sufficient beds, but a sudden change in the weather was putting extra pressure on them.
The James Paget hospital and the Queen Elizabeth in Kings Lynn said there were sufficient beds, but a sudden change in the weather was putting extra pressure on them.
HOSPITAL ALERTS Amber alert: Early warning of pressure increase in the normal activity. Red alert: Escalating pressure in one or more part of the system continuing to increase. Black alert: Contingency measure are exhausted and pressures are not sustainable.
HOSPITAL ALERTS Amber alert: Early warning of pressure increase in the normal activity. Red alert: Escalating pressure in one or more part of the system continuing to increase. Black alert: Contingency measure are exhausted and pressures are not sustainable.
Norman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk, told the BBC that the hospital was regularly well above the safe occupancy level of 85%, and this incident was not an isolated problem.
Norman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk, said the hospital was regularly well above the safe occupancy level of 85%.
He said: "If there was to be a flu epidemic this winter then we've got a major crisis.
He said: "If there was to be a flu epidemic this winter then we've got a major crisis.
"Across the country we're seeing occupancy rates increasing. There's also evidence that you run an increased risk of hospital acquired infections if you've got a hospital that's literally full.
"Across the country we're seeing occupancy rates increasing. There's also evidence that you run an increased risk of hospital acquired infections if you've got a hospital that's literally full.
"This is a serious problem and yet there appears to be nothing being done to increase the capacity to ensure that there's enough beds to treat patients."
"This is a serious problem and yet there appears to be nothing being done to increase the capacity to ensure that there's enough beds to treat patients."
Lack of staff
Lack of staff
Milton Keynes and Hertfordshire health officials have said they are not on alert, but Bedford hospital has been on black alert since Friday.
Milton Keynes and Hertfordshire health officials have said they are not on alert, but Bedford hospital has been on black alert since Friday.
A spokesman for Bedford hospital said there were very few beds available and although there was another ward free, it could not open as there was not enough staff to run it.
In Suffolk, Ipswich hospital said it had very few beds but was managing the situation and a spokesman for the West Suffolk hospital said its alert had been caused by sickness bugs.
In Suffolk, Ipswich hospital said it had very few beds but was managing the situation and a spokesman for the West Suffolk hospital said its alert had been caused by sickness bugs.
In a statement Addenbrooke's Hospital said it had been on black alert, but by Thursday morning it was no longer on high alert, and a bed managing scheme had been implemented. The statement added that though the situation was tight no planned operations had ben cancelled.
In a statement Addenbrooke's Hospital said it had been on black alert, but by Thursday morning it was no longer on high alert, and a bed managing scheme had been implemented.
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