NHS accused of ‘bullying' hospitals into silence over true scale of Covid crisis

NHS leaders have been accused of downplaying the impact of the Covid crisis and putting hospitals under scrutiny for declaring critical incidents and postponing surgeries.

- REBECCA THOMAS, SAMUEL LOVETT

A leaked email urged hospitals to use the “correct terminology” and make NHS leaders aware when declaring their status. Sources said the message was a “thinly veiled threat” and that there was “subtle pressure” following the spread of Omicron. At least 24 trusts have declared critical incidents this week, including one in Northamptonshire on Friday afternoon, while new figures show a 59 per cent rise in staff absences in just seven days.

Trusts in London were told hospitals will be scrutinised for declaring a critical incident if there is “doubt” over the decision, according to an internal email sent from NHS England on Wednesday. In light of media coverage, it would be “valuable” to “raise awareness of the key terminology and encourage you to ensure that you are clear ... when considering a declaration,” it said. “National scrutiny on the declaration on incidents has heightened … and [senior managers] will need to make additional enquiries where there is doubt as to the status of an organisation’s incident.”

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: “We know that the NHS is under enormous pressure and it is important that local trusts are able to be honest and open with parliament and the public about the challenges they’re facing. We are increasingly concerned that ministers are more interested in covering up problems than solving them.”