Northwick Park Hospital has declared a critical incident due to a rise in patients with coronavirus.
A message to staff Northwick Park Hospital at the hospital said: “I am writing to let you know that we have this evening declared a ‘critical incident’ in relation to our critical care capacity at Northwick Park Hospital. This is due to an increasing number of patients with Covid-19.
“This means that we currently do not have enough space for patients requiring critical care.
“As part of our system resilience plans, we have contacted our partners in the North West London sector this evening to assist with the safe transfer of patients off of the Northwick Park site”
A spokesperson for LNWHT said: “Critical care capacity for patients with coronavirus is being organised on a cross-London basis so that hospitals and organisations work together to deliver the best possible care for patients.
“This kind of coordinated, flexible response is one of the NHS’s strengths but with staff pulling out all the stops they need the public to play their part too, by following the expert guidance on washing your hands, staying at home and using health services responsibly.”
Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central tweeted: “Northwick park hospital has run out of beds. Yesterday I spoke to a doctor who informed me that Medical staff do not have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and some are sharing masks. If the government fails to plan it plans to fail.”
UPDATE 17:00 (20/3): The critical incident lasted for 24 hours at Northwick Park Hospital and has now been stood down. Six people have died at the hospital from COVID-19.
