'Declared too late': Emergency doctors question value of critical incidents

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By Erin Dean

Critical incidents at struggling hospitals are often declared “too late” and result in actions that have insufficient impact, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has warned.

The college said at least 23 hospitals have announced a critical incident this week, with doctors at a further 19 arguing that they should have as well.

News websites and social media have been busy with coverage of the declarations.

RCEM president Dr Ian Higginson said he was not surprised that so many trusts were declaring critical incidents.

But he warned the move seldom makes the difference that over-stretched staff and patients need.

“Critical incidents are only declared when a hospital is in big trouble,” Higginson said. “We are not surprised to learn that many hospitals are declaring critical incidents.

“However, the lived experience of our members is that declaring them doesn’t make much difference because they are often declared too late, and the actions that result often don’t have a big effect. They are often paper tigers.”