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A critical incident has been declared across a number of hospitals in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare due to "significant pressures" caused by high demand. The University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) declared the incident, affecting all hospitals within the trust. They include the Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, St Michaels Hospital and Weston General Hospital. The incident was declared after hospitals were receiving high demand. In a statement released earlier today, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust Hospital Managing Director, Professor Stuart Walker said: "University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust has declared a Critical Incident today, Thursday 30 October 2025, in response to significant pressures across the system impacting our hospitals. "All sites within the Bristol NHS Group are currently experiencing exceptionally high demand." As reported by Bristol Live, Professor Stuart Walker, Hospital Managing Director for UHBW, said: "University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust has declared a critical incident today, Thursday, October 30, in response to significant pressures across the system impacting our hospitals. "All sites within the Bristol NHS Group are currently experiencing exceptionally high demand. If you require urgent medical assistance and are unsure where to go, please contact NHS 111 for guidance. If you have an appointment, please attend as usual unless you hear from us." The NHS describes a critical incident as "any localised incident where the level of disruption results in the organisation temporarily or permanently losing its ability to deliver critical services, patients may have been harmed or the environment is not safe, requiring special measures and support from other agencies, to restore normal operating functions." It comes days after Arrowe Park Hospital, part of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, was forced to pause elective procedures while investigating an "ongoing issue". The trust has since taken action, including buying new instruments and borrowing equipment from neighbouring NHS organisations. An internal email, seen by The Mirror affiliate the Liverpool Echo, revealed the trust is also seeking aid from other NHS trusts across the region to help manage the disruption. It is understood patients were diverted to Aintree Hospital and the Countess of Chester Hospital. The message sent to staff at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on October 22 said: "Staff are advised there has been an ongoing issue in the Sterile Service Department in recent days affecting surgical instruments. Patient safety is always our top priority and we took the difficult decision to pause elective activity last week while the issue was being looked into. "Yesterday afternoon, a critical incident was declared at the trust and we have command and control structures in place to manage this incident." In an effort to reduce disruption to patients, the hospital has brought in additional surgical instruments and continues to work with regional partners to secure further supplies. The incident has raised concerns among patients and their family members. One unnamed patient told the Echo: "It's frightening to think surgeries are being delayed because the hospital doesn't have safe, sterile equipment. I'm worried not just for my son, but for other patients who might not have anyone to speak up for them." A Wirral University Teaching Hospital spokesperson said: "Due to an issue in our Sterile Services Department affecting surgical instruments in recent days which unfortunately has not been resolved, the Trust has taken the decision to declare a Critical Incident. Patient safety is always our top priority and we have unfortunately had to take the decision to pause elective activity. We have robust plans in place to manage the incident and we are also seeking support from other Trusts to minimise the impact on patients at this time."
