Along with other local hospitals, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has declared a Critical Incident this afternoon (13th January 2026) due to sustained and significant pressure on services. This is primarily driven by a high number of attendances at the Emergency Department and a lack of available beds in inpatient wards.
By declaring a Critical Incident we are able to work with our local health and care partners to take additional steps to ensure we can maintain safe services for patients and help our teams manage these pressures during this period of exceptional demand.
Members of the public can help support us during this time by:
- Continuing to use community healthcare services such as pharmacies, GP practices, walk-in centres, and NHS 111 (online or by phone, 24/7) for urgent health advice.
- Only calling 999 or attending the Emergency Department for serious or life-threatening conditions.
- Attending appointments as normal unless contacted directly by staff to reschedule.
- Supporting the timely discharge of loved ones who are medically fit to leave hospital, where it is safe to do so.
- Following additional infection prevention measures when visiting, including good hand hygiene, limiting movement around the site, and wearing masks in our Emergency Department. Visitors are also asked not to attend if they have symptoms of respiratory illness (including Covid or flu) or gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea or vomiting.
Dr Mark Roland, Chief Medical Officer at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We are currently experiencing extremely high demand, placing significant pressure on our services.
“Declaring a Critical Incident allows us to take further action to maintain safe care for our patients and manage these increasing pressures.
“Our staff continue to work exceptionally hard, and we would like to reassure the public that essential services remain open. Anyone who needs urgent medical help should continue to come forward.”
“We ask the public to use healthcare services appropriately and only attend A&E in an emergency, so our teams can focus on those who need urgent care. If you need urgent help or advice and are unsure where to go, please contact NHS 111.”
