PEOPLE are being urged to help the NHS by using facilities like the Minor Injuries Unit in Ludlow as a ‘critical incident’ was declared across all elements of the service.

It was declared last weekend with the Shropshire and Telford Hospital NHS Trust saying it is are seeing significant and sustained levels of demand for all health and care services across the area.

‘There are still relatively high numbers of patients in hospital and community beds with Covid-19, there are high numbers of patients arriving at our hospitals for other conditions and we have a high level of staff sickness across several different settings,’ said a Trust statement.

‘This, in conjunction with the additional challenges caused by the continued heat wave, is causing a significant strain on the health and care system.

‘As a result, partners across the health and care system are taking additional steps to prioritise and maintain safe services for patients.

‘Our aim is to prioritise patients with the highest level of need and ensure that we continue to be able to manage emergency care.

‘We also need to ensure that we can continue to provide safe care for all our patients across our community settings and for those in nursing and residential homes.

‘We regret that it has been necessary to take this step, but it is important that we focus on patients needing urgent and emergency care as a priority.

‘Our teams are continuing to work exceptionally hard, and we would like to reassure the public that despite the challenges faced, our services remain open for anyone who needs them.’