A critical incident has been announced at an NHS hospital due to an ongoing issue. Arrowe Park Hospital, which is part of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, had to halt elective procedures last week to address the problem. The hospital has taken immediate steps by purchasing new instruments and borrowing equipment from neighboring NHS facilities.

According to an internal email obtained by the Liverpool Echo, the trust is reaching out to other NHS trusts in the region for assistance in managing the situation. Patients have been redirected to Aintree Hospital and the Countess of Chester Hospital. The trust communicated to its staff about the ongoing issue in the Sterile Service Department affecting surgical instruments, emphasizing patient safety as the primary concern.

In response to the critical incident declared at the hospital, additional surgical instruments have been procured to minimize disruptions for patients. Concerns have been raised by patients and their families regarding the delays in surgeries due to the lack of safe and sterile equipment at the hospital.

A spokesperson from Wirral University Teaching Hospital stated that a Critical Incident was declared due to unresolved issues in the Sterile Services Department affecting surgical instruments. Patient safety remains the top priority, leading to the temporary pause of elective activities. The hospital is implementing robust plans and seeking support from other trusts to mitigate the impact on patients during this time.