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Major alerts 'at many hospitals' Major alerts 'at many hospitals'
(35 minutes later)
Over four in 10 hospitals in England declared a major alert in the first week of the year as they encountered unprecedented pressures.Over four in 10 hospitals in England declared a major alert in the first week of the year as they encountered unprecedented pressures.
Sixty-six out of 152 trusts raised the alarm as mounting bed shortages led to large numbers of patients experiencing trolley waits and delays in A&E.Sixty-six out of 152 trusts raised the alarm as mounting bed shortages led to large numbers of patients experiencing trolley waits and delays in A&E.
Data leaked to the BBC earlier this week suggested just one trust hit its four-hour A&E target.Data leaked to the BBC earlier this week suggested just one trust hit its four-hour A&E target.
But now official figures have revealed more about the scale of the problem.But now official figures have revealed more about the scale of the problem.
The number of major alerts, which used to be known as red and black alerts, is the highest of the winter.The number of major alerts, which used to be known as red and black alerts, is the highest of the winter.
And performance against the four-hour target appears to have sunk to its lowest level since the target was first introduced in 2004.And performance against the four-hour target appears to have sunk to its lowest level since the target was first introduced in 2004.
Major alerts are raised when hospitals are struggling to see patients quickly enough.Major alerts are raised when hospitals are struggling to see patients quickly enough.
To cope, hospitals have to start calling in extra staff, cancelling routine treatments, such as knee and hip operations, and diverting ambulances away from their hospital - this happened at 39 A&E units.To cope, hospitals have to start calling in extra staff, cancelling routine treatments, such as knee and hip operations, and diverting ambulances away from their hospital - this happened at 39 A&E units.
The ultimate step is a full closure of A&E, but none took this step, the NHS England update showed.The ultimate step is a full closure of A&E, but none took this step, the NHS England update showed.
Using the official data and leaked figures, the BBC can now reveal:Using the official data and leaked figures, the BBC can now reveal:
Dr Chris Moulton, of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: "It was an incredibly hard week in a very difficult winter. It is probably the most challenging it has been for 15 years.
"All hospitals are experiencing difficulties - and the same is true in Wales and Northern Ireland and, to a lesser extent, Scotland."