High demand in our hospitals
Last updated: 04/11/2025
Update: Tuesday 4 November 2025
Professor Stuart Walker, Hospital Managing Director, UHBW said:
“The Critical Incident at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation has now been stood down.
“I would like to thank our staff and local partners for their outstanding work over the last five days to keep people in our care safe and services running during this period of high pressure.
“Our Bristol NHS Group hospitals are still very busy. If you need urgent medical help and are unsure where to go, please contact NHS 111 for advice.”
ENDS
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Monday 3 November 2025
Professor Stuart Walker, Hospital Managing Director, UHBW said:
“University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation remains in a Critical Incident and all sites in the Bristol NHS Group are continuing to experience high demand. This is due to a combination of ongoing pressures, including a high number of patients in hospital beds who no longer require hospital care, and an increase in seasonal illness.
“In addition to these operational challenges, following detailed inspections and discussions with the fire service, we acted promptly on Thursday 30 October to close two wards at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI). There was no fire in either ward, but the areas have been closed to address identified fire safety concerns, and patients and staff were safely relocated.
“We continue to work closely with our system partners to help ease the current pressures. If you need urgent medical help and are unsure where to go, please contact NHS 111 for advice. If you have a hospital appointment, please attend as planned unless you are contacted by us.
“We would like to thank our amazing staff for their quick response and our patients and their loved ones for their understanding and cooperation.”
ENDS
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Friday 31 October 2025
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust Hospital Managing Director, Professor Stuart Walker said:
“On Thursday 30 October, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust declared a Critical Incident in response to significant system pressures affecting our hospitals. The Trust remains in a Critical Incident, and all sites within the Bristol NHS Group are continuing to experience exceptionally high demand.
“We are working closely with our system partners to help ease these pressures. If you need urgent medical help and are unsure where to go, please contact NHS 111 for advice. If you have a hospital appointment, please attend as planned unless you are contacted by us.”
ENDS
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Thursday 30 October 2025
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust Hospital Managing Director, Professor Stuart Walker said:
"University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust has declared a Critical Incident today, Thursday 30 October 2025, in response to significant pressures across the system impacting our hospitals.
“All sites within the Bristol NHS Group are currently experiencing exceptionally high demand. If you require urgent medical assistance and are unsure where to go, please contact NHS 111 for guidance.
“If you have an appointment, please attend as usual unless you hear from us.”
ENDS