28/06/2026
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust has declared a critical incident due to exceptional pressure on services at both Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital.
This is due to a combination of factors, including high numbers of patients requiring care, delays in discharging patients from hospital, and significant pressure on local ambulance services. This is impacting our ability to move patients through our hospitals safely and as quickly as we would like.
Our priority is to provide safe care to those who need it most. As part of our response, we are prioritising urgent and emergency treatment, working closely with our NHS partners to improve patient flow, and redeploying staff to support our busiest areas.
We are asking the public to help us during this period by choosing the most appropriate service for their needs. If your condition is not life-threatening, please consider using NHS 111, your local pharmacy, GP services, or walk-in centres. Emergency departments should be used for serious or life-threatening conditions only.
We would like to thank our staff for their continued hard work and dedication and our patients and communities for their support and understanding.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
