Major incident plans have been rolled out in Sussex and Surrey as fears increase of Covid-19 cases overwhelming local health services.

Resilience Forums in both counties say the next few weeks will be tough but measures mean resources and expertise will be focused on dealing with the challenges.

Measures in Sussex could include making more use of volunteer help and preparing in detail for extra capacity needed across services, the forum said.

It could also lead to requests for extra support from the government if necessary.
Sussex assistant chief constable Dave Miller said: “The pressures on the whole system of health and social care… this winter are unprecedented and while our services are managing, we know that challenges are only likely to increase in the short term.

“By declaring a major incident, we can put ourselves on the strongest possible footing to combine our efforts and resources to keep people and public services in the best possible health.”

In Surrey, resilience forum chairman Steve Owen-Hughes said partners including hospitals, GPs, social care, emergency services and councils were already working together but would now reprioritise their approach to focus on public safety and redeploying staff and expertise.

He said: “We believe that the next few weeks and months are going to be some of the most difficult we have had to face, as infection rates rise still further.

“I know how frustrating it is to be faced with another lockdown and I would like to thank the vast majority of Surrey residents for playing their part over the last few months. However, now is not the time to ease up if we are to save lives and protect the NHS and we need everyone to continue with their efforts.”

It comes as East Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group recently suspended births at home and at midwife-led units in some areas due to the ‘significant pressure’ on the ambulance service.

More information at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

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