A TRUST which runs hospitals in Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester has declared another critical incident due to the high volume of patients needing urgent care.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust declared the incident on Friday, December 30, as it takes steps to ensure patient safety.

The trust has said it remains very busy and is responding to a high volume of patients needing urgent and emergency care.

It is now calling on residents to help by supporting them to get their loved ones home as soon as the decision has been made that they are ready to be discharged.

On Twitter they posted: "Today (Friday 30 December) we have declared a critical incident as we take steps to ensure patient safety. The trust remains very busy & you can help support us by taking relatives/friends home from the hospital as soon as the decision has been made that they're ready to leave.

"Friends and family play a key role in helping get patients home where their recovery can be quicker in their own surroundings. Please speak to our staff on the wards about how you can help and if you can support discharge home.

"Collecting your loved ones rather than relying on our hospitals to arrange transport can reduce delays and be a better experience for your relative or friend. You will be helping us care for others who require urgent treatment."

This is the second critical incident to be declared this month. As previously reported, the trust also declared an incident on Tuesday, December 20, when it took steps to ensure patient safety. The trust said it was responding to a high volume of patients needing urgent and emergency care, as well as challenges discharging patients from hospitals.