Critical incident declared by NHS in Cornwall

Health bosses in Cornwall have declared a critical incident as the county's services are "under significant pressure".

The NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said it made the decision on Friday due to a period of sustained pressure on the Royal Cornwall Hospital's A&E department in Truro over the previous few days.

The board's chief executive Kate Shields said people had been advised to only attend A&E if they had a life or limb-threatening emergency.

Deputy chief medical officer Jon Clarke added factors including staff sickness were behind the decision and people with signs of viruses like flu had been asked not to attend the hospital.

Ms Shields said there was a high number of ambulances waiting outside the hospital and patients in the emergency department.

"We urgently need the public's support to make sure we can see those who are sickest and have the greatest need," Ms Shields said.

"Other NHS services are available, and we encourage you to use them whenever possible."

Mr Clarke said people attending the hospital over the next few days would see staff wearing masks to stop winter viruses spreading.

He added viruses like flu had played a part in the critical incident being declared.

"Not only does it affect patients, it also affects our staffing as well which is another issue we've seen with reduced staffing levels because of sickness," he said.

Mr Clarke said the situation might have a "knock-on" effect to some services and lead to appointments being postponed.

He said he wanted to reassure patients services would be available for those who needed them, but asked people to consider what care they required.

"Declaring a critical incident is not a decision that's taken lightly, but we do need the help of the public," Mr Clarke said.

"If visitors particularly have any signs of flu, we'd ask them not to attend the hospital."

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].