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Derriford opens 'escalation' beds amid Red Alert status

Credit: ITV West Country

Staff at Derriford Hospital have had to fill almost every available space with extra beds after a surge in patients needing emergency care.

The hospital is currently on red alertand a number of operations have been cancelled to help cope with the high number of attending A&E.

Extra staff have been hired in the hope of removing some of the 41 extra beds.

Yesterday was a better day, so although the hospital remains very busy, we do have beds available and today we are hoping to close some of the 41 escalation beds.

We remain on red alert. We would like to once again apologise to anyone whose operation or procedure has been cancelled as a result of the emergency pressures.

Our staff are working hard to re-book people affected as soon as possible. We would like to end by thanking the public for the amazing messages of support we have received, on social media and in person for our staff and the work they do.

Our staff are working incredibly hard and these comments have been much appreciated at a tough time.

– Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust