Royal Sussex and Princess royal hospitals grapple with technical woes as NHS races to restore normalcy

In a startling turn of events, two prominent hospitals in Sussex, namely the Royal Sussex and Princess Royal Hospitals, have declared critical incidents following a significant IT failure. Adding to the crisis, St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester and Worthing Hospital are reported to be contending with similar widespread technical issues.

Emergency measures have been implemented, with the NHS prioritizing the restoration of critical systems. Teams are working diligently to rectify the IT glitch that has disrupted operations at these vital healthcare institutions.

It has been advised that the ambulance service refrain from transporting patients to either Brighton or Haywards Heath. The public has also been urged to avoid unnecessary visits to the A&E Departments of the affected hospitals. Furthermore, telephone communication with Brighton and Haywards Heath hospitals is currently unavailable.

University Hospitals Sussex issued a statement, stating, “We have declared a critical incident this evening after both the Royal Sussex County and Princess Royal hospitals were significantly affected by problems with IT and phone systems.”

Ambulances are being diverted, and patients are being redirected to alternative hospitals to meet their healthcare needs. The situation is evolving rapidly, and residents are cautioned against attending emergency departments unless it is a life-threatening emergency.

St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester and Worthing Hospital are also grappling with the consequences of the IT failure, albeit to a lesser degree. These institutions are working collaboratively to support the Royal Sussex County and Princess Royal hospitals amidst the considerable pressure resulting from the disruption.

Declaring a critical incident enables healthcare staff to concentrate on patient needs while seeking support from local partners. The disruption has had a widespread impact, affecting frontline teams. Restoring IT systems to normalcy is a top priority, with teams working diligently to resolve the issues.

For any urgent health support, the NHS encourages the use of NHS 111 online or by phone to receive advice and direction to the most appropriate service. The situation is under constant review, and updates will be provided as the situation unfolds.