We have now stood down our Critical Incident at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

Following a power outage in our Intensive Care and High Dependency Units yesterday, which triggered a Critical Incident at East Surrey Hospital, the Trust have now stood the incident down and will be re-opening both affected units from 8am tomorrow morning.

A spokesperson for the Trust, thanked the public for their patience and staff for their hard work in managing the incident over the last 24 hours.

Dr Ed Cetti, Chief Medical Officer said:

"We have now stood down this Critical Incident and I want to thank the public for their support as we worked to get the two units affected back up and running. I also want to thank all our teams, our system colleagues, and the ambulance service, for their immense efforts in ensuring we were able to continue to provide safe care for all those in need.

“Despite the challenges we faced, our essential services remained open throughout, and I am pleased to report that we expect our full elective lists to operate as planned tomorrow.”

If you have a scheduled elective procedure or appointment on 21 February 2024 at East Surrey Hospital, please continue to attend your appointment as planned unless you have been contacted by a member of our team.

Due to a power outage in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU), we have declared a critical incident at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

Following a power outage in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and our High Dependency Unit, we have now declared a Critical Incident at East Surrey Hospital.

The patients on both units have all been safely evacuated and all remaining families have been contacted to make them aware.

Our staff are working exceptionally hard to provide care for those who need it most and we are working closely with our system colleagues to help keep our patients safe and ensure we care for all those who need our services.

We would like to reassure our patients and the public that despite the challenges faced, our essential services remain open for anyone who needs them so if you require urgent medical help, it’s vital that you continue to come forward or call 999.

If you have a scheduled elective procedure on 20 February 2024 at East Surrey Hospital, a member of our team will contact you with an update on your appointment. Anyone attending an outpatient appointment at East Surrey Hospital should however continue to attend their appointment unless they have been contacted to reschedule.

While our Emergency Department is not closed to all patients, we are asking members of the public to please consider alternatives to ED if your condition is not life-threatening. This will reduce the potential pressure on our intensive care services.  

That includes visiting NHS 111 online, using local pharmacies and your GP, and for non-life-threatening care such as for minor injuries should visit local Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) or Minor Injury Units (MIU).

Your nearest Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) and Minor Injury Units (MIU) are:

  • Caterham MIU (if aged 18 and over) – Located at Caterham Dene Hospital, Church Road, Caterham, CR3 5RA. Open 9am – 8pm, seven days a week. This is a convenient alternative to A&E or ED and is run by qualified emergency nurse practitioners. The MIU provides treatment for cuts and grazes, sprains and strains, broken bones (fractures), bites and stings, infected wounds, eye problems such as infections or scratches, sports injuries, minor burns and scalds.
  • Crawley UTC – Located at Crawley Hospital, West Green Drive, Crawley, RH11 7DH. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. UTCs treat most injuries that are urgent but not life threatening. For example, sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries, bites and stings.
  • Horsham MIU – Located at Horsham Hospital, Hurst Road, Horsham, RH12 2DR. Open 9am – 5pm from Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays. They are a minor injuries unit staffed by emergency nurse practitioners and other nursing and ancillary staff. They provide assessment and treatment of a wide range of minor injuries in both adults and children.
  • East Grinstead MIU – Located at Queen Victoria Hospital, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, RH19 3DZ. Open 8am – 8pm, seven days a week. The unit is run by emergency practitioners and experienced specialist nurses and paramedics who are able to assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of minor injuries and ailments for both adults and children over one year old. On call cover is also available for emergency referrals outside of these hours.

A spokesperson for Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said:

“We are working to urgently resolve the power issues in our Intensive Care and High Dependency Units and ensure the safe care of all those who need our services. 

“While our Emergency Department remains open, we are asking members of the public to please consider other local alternatives to ED - including nearby treatment centres at Crawley, Caterham Dene, Horsham and East Grinstead if your condition is not life-threatening. This will reduce the potential pressure on our intensive care services and ensure care is available to patients who need it most.”