A major London hospital declared a “critical incident” due to a surge in patients with coronavirus.
According to reports, a senior doctor at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow said the situation was "f***ing petrifying."
In a message to staff, the hospital said it has no critical care capacity left and has contacted neighbouring hospitals about transferring patients who need critical care to other sites.
The message, sent last night and seen by the Health Service Journal, said: “I am writing to let you know that we have this evening declared a ‘critical incident’ in relation to our critical care capacity at Northwick Park Hospital. This is due to an increasing number of patients with Covid-19.
“This means that we currently do not have enough space for patients requiring critical care.
“As part of our system resilience plans, we have contacted our partners in the North West London sector this evening to assist with the safe transfer of patients off of the Northwick Park site.”
Six people have died of coronavirus at the hospital.
On Friday evening the critical incident was 'stood down'
A spokeswoman for London North West University Healthcare Trust told HSJ: “Critical care capacity for patients with coronavirus is being organised on a cross-London basis so that hospitals and organisations work together to deliver the best possible care for patients.
“This kind of coordinated, flexible response is one of the NHS’s strengths but with staff pulling out all the stops they need the public to play their part too, by following the expert guidance on washing your hands, staying at home and using health services responsibly.”
Another London hospital has been forced to turn coronavirus patients away.
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust admitted to having to take such devastating action, with the capital's death toll continuing to surge.
Some of those infected with Covid-19 have been shipped out to other neighbouring sites to help ease the pressure on overrun staff.
On Tuesday one out of a possible five patients was taken into ITU at one of the trust's hospitals, a senior clinician told the Telegraph.
The trust - which saw three deaths in the recent surge - moved to insist all who needed ventilation have got it.
Dr Simon Walsh, the British Medical Association for emergency care lead, said most units have already doubled their critical care capacity in an effort to battle the infection.
But he said it was "worrying" to hear some in London are "filled" beyond what is workable.
This new obstacle comes as 25 to 30 per cent of paediatric emergency department doctors are self-isolating.
A Government source has admitted "elderly people [are] needing ventilators and there are just not enough of them", comparing the "deteriorating" situation to one "one of the worst winters".