People urged to avoid A&E as critical incident declared at hospitals

A critical incident has been declared at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and Princess Royal (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner) Patients have been urged not to attend A&E unless it is a lifesaving emergency after a critical incident was declared at two hospitals. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust said both the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton[1] and Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath were affected by problems with IT and phone systems last night.

Ambulances are being diverted and patients are being taken to different hospitals. The trust said St Richard's Hospital in Chichester and Worthing Hospital are also under "considerable pressure" while they help support the Royal Sussex and Princess Royal. A hospital spokesman said: "Please do not attend our emergency departments unless it is a lifesaving emergency.

Patients are being strongly advised to consider alternatives to these services apart from lifesaving emergencies.

"For any urgent health[2] support, please use NHS 111 online or by phone to receive advice and direction to the most appropriate service.