A MAJOR incident has been declared for the whole of Essex due to the strain coronavirus is putting on the county s health services. On Tuesday the number of patients in Essex receiving treatment for coronavirus exceeded those seen at the peak of the first wave of the virus in the spring. In response to the massive growth in demand on hospitals, particularly in mid and south Essex, the Essex Resilience Forum (ERF) has declared a major incident . This means the county can seek further financial support from the Government in a bid to help ease the pressure on the NHS.
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By Lewis Berrill @LewisBerrill Chief reporter - east London and west Essex
Essex Resilience Forum has declared a major incident . Photo: PA Wire A ‘major incident has been declared in Essex amid spiralling coronavirus cases in the county. Pressure on NHS providers in the county has prompted the declaration by the Essex Resilience Forum, a group that comprises NHS and local authority leaders. The declaration allows the county to formally seek further support from Government to address the pressures imposed by the pandemic. Forum leaders say the pressures are being felt primarily in NHS and local authority services and are associated with critical care and bed capacity, staff sickness and self-isolation levels.
Busy - hospitals across Essex are stretched. Picture: PA A major incident has been declared across Essex as the county s healthcare system struggles to cope with a rising number of patients in need of acute care. There is particular pressure on the Mid and South Essex trust - which runs Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals - with bosses there confirming this morning that there are now more than double the number of Covid patients which were being treated in the first wave of the virus. Staff at that trust have been asked to return from leave to plug gaps in levels.
Stock image of hospital beds. Picture: Silas Camargo Silão/Pixabay
- Credit: Silas Camargo Silão/Pixabay
Covid-19 pressure on the NHS and health system has prompted a ‘major incident’ declaration from the Essex Resilience Forum, enabling the county to seek further Government support.
The number of patients in Essex receiving treatment for coronavirus have increased to levels which have exceeded those seen at the peak of the first wave of the virus in the Spring. These levels are likely to increase further in the coming days. The pressure is being worst felt in mid and south Essex. Critical care beds across Essex are being used to help spread the load.