Hospitals in London have started to accept patient transfers from other areas
ICU demand nationally has still not peaked, but growth is slowing
Hospitals in the Midlands are making a final expansion to their critical care capacity that would reach the limit of what they are able to provide.
In contrast, easing pressures in London means the capital has started to accept patient transfers from other areas.
But as the demand for intensive care appears to have peaked in the capital over the last fortnight, pressures in the Midlands have continued rising.
HSJ understands a recent letter to trusts in the region from NHS England said they should move to their maximum “super surge” capacity, meaning every possible intensive care bed should be opened.