Health chiefs in Kent have declared a critical incident at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital, warning that the facility has reached total capacity amid a surge in winter viruses.
The East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust took the drastic step on Monday evening as the Margate site became gridlocked. A combination of rising norovirus cases, a sharp spike in flu admissions and a shortage of available beds has forced the hospital to effectively shut its doors to all but the most life-threatening emergencies.
A critical incident is a formal emergency status. It allows hospital leadership to divert staff from elective duties to the front line and bypass certain administrative protocols to prioritise patient safety. It serves as a red alert signal to the rest of the healthcare system that the hospital can no longer provide its usual standard of care without external support.
The system is choking
For those on the hospital floor, the technical labels matter less than the reality of the corridors. Families and patients have described scenes of pure exhaustion as medics work 12 hour shifts in a building that simply has no more room. One visitor, speaking to KentOnline, summed up the mood inside the Margate facility in just a few words. They said it feels hopeless in there.
The witness described a department pushed past its breaking point, with some patients reportedly waiting in ambulances for hours before a bay became available. In a bid to regain control over infection rates, the Trust has taken the unusual step of suspending general visiting.
As of Tuesday 13 January, most wards are off-limits to the public. Hospital leaders hope that by stopping general foot traffic, they can limit the spread of norovirus. This is a highly contagious vomiting bug that can quickly de-stabilise a hospital ward. By clearing the corridors, they aim to give nursing teams the breathing room required to manage the backlog of patients waiting for beds.
There are, however, limited exceptions to the visiting ban. The Trust confirmed that access would still be granted for maternity and paediatric units to ensure parents can remain with children. Access also remains for intensive care and high-dependency environments. Those receiving end-of-life care are also exempt, though these visits must be coordinated directly with ward managers to ensure safety.
The discharge deadlock
The primary driver of the gridlock is not just the volume of people coming in, but the inability to move people out. This phenomenon is often termed bed blocking or delayed discharge. it occurs when patients are medically fit to leave but cannot do so because there is no social care ready for them. This might include a lack of care home places or a shortage of carers to provide home-visit packages.
Sarah Hayes, the Trust’s Chief Nursing Officer, said teams were working tirelessly to provide the best care under incredibly difficult circumstances. However, she admitted the reality is that the hospitals are full. Senior health bosses are now locked in emergency talks with Kent County Council and local social care providers to try and unblock the system. The goal is to fast-track the discharge of dozens of patients who no longer need an acute hospital bed, thereby freeing up space for those currently waiting in A&E.
A regional emergency
The crisis in Margate is not an isolated event. It reflects a broader regional emergency, with three other trusts across Surrey and Sussex also declaring critical incidents this week. A sustained cold snap across the South East has led to a rise in falls and respiratory failures among the frail and elderly. At the same time, staff sickness rates have left many shifts shorthanded.
Despite the emergency status, the Trust has urged those with pre-booked elective surgeries or appointments to attend as planned unless they receive a direct phone call to cancel. For non-life-threatening issues, the public is being directed away from the QEQM.
The NHS recommends using the 111 online service for immediate medical advice. High street pharmacies are also equipped to handle minor ailments and viral symptoms. For those with minor breaks and burns, Urgent Treatment Centres in sites like Canterbury or Ashford remain the best option. The message from the front line remains blunt. Unless it is a matter of life and limb, people are being told to stay away from the emergency department.
