The Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust declared a critical incident on February 13, 2026, after a sudden spike in patients with breathing difficulties led to extreme pressure at hospitals serving Beeston, Nottinghamshire.
This emergency status was triggered by a rapid increase in the number of people needing urgent care, causing long wait times in the emergency departments. Staff have reported that some patients are being treated in hospital corridors due to a lack of available beds at both the Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital.
More than half of all adult beds are currently used by patients over the age of 80, many of whom are suffering from serious lung and chest issues. Hospital managers state that bed space is also limited because the number of patients who are medically fit to go home but remain in hospital is almost two wards’ worth higher than expected.
Families are being asked to help by collecting relatives as soon as they are ready for discharge to help free up space for new admissions. Residents are encouraged to use the NHS 111 service or local pharmacies for health concerns that are not life-threatening to help reduce the burden on emergency teams.
