NHS hospitals in Devon enter ‘highest level of escalation’ after ‘pressures’ caused by strikes
The NHS in Devon says it is preparing to take extra measures to keep patients safe because hospital emergency departments are under pressure due to doctors’ strikes.
In a statement, NHS Devon said it had entered OPEL 4 – the highest level of escalation – following the “continued pressures”.
It said this week’s walkout by junior doctors from 7am on Wednesday until 7am on Saturday has “left many hospitals facing difficulties in filling rotas, especially over the next two evenings – Thursday and Friday”.
And despite consultants ending their separate 48-hour strike on Thursday morning, “there remain far fewer clinical staff in hospital emergency departments than usual”.
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Public blame govt for doctors’ strikes
Measures to help A&Es cope could include people in the county who aren’t critically ill being re-directed from hospital emergency departments to other services.
This would allow the reduced number of staff on shift to care for the patients most in need of emergency treatment, said NHS Devon.
Ambulances who attend call-outs across Devon and parts of South East Cornwall may need to take patients to an emergency department that isn’t their local hospital where they may be seen sooner, depending on the needs of the patient and the pressures in the emergency departments at the time.
Although health workers have been “working hard” to deal with the impact of the strikes, the NHS is now preparing to “deploy further measures if they are needed in coming days”, the statement also said.
Read more:
Inside the NHS as winter preparations hit by strikes
Almost half of public blame govt for doctors’ strikes – poll
Health secretary criticises ‘increasing militancy’ of strikes
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NHS: Double strike by doctors
‘We are counting on the understanding of local people’
In advice issued for local people, the NHS stressed when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk – they should still call 999 immediately.
Patients who require urgent treatment, but do not have symptoms of a life-threatening condition, should call 111 or use the 111 service online, the advice added.
Devon’s chief medical officer Nigel Acheson said: “We have been doing everything we can to keep patients and colleagues safe through this period of extreme pressure due to the industrial action.
“We are ready to put in place all measures needed to make sure we can look after the people who most desperately need our help.
“We are counting on the understanding of local people at this difficult time and we encourage everyone to follow the advice we are giving today.”
UK
Family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe pay tribute to ‘beautiful soul’ as teen appears in court charged with murder
The family of a nine-year-old girl stabbed to death have said she was a “beautiful soul” who was brave, kind-hearted and “always put a smile on people’s faces”.
Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, just before 6.10pm on Monday, where Aria Thorpe had suffered a single stab wound.
The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a tribute released by Avon and Somerset Police on Friday, the girl’s family on her mother’s side said: “For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy.
“She loved to sing and dance, and she took such pride in dressing up, always wanting to look just like her mummy.”
Tom Thorpe, the girl’s father, said: “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it is, our little Aria, that you’re up there with the angels looking over us.”
It comes as a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared in court.
Pic: Avon and Somerset Police
Aria was a ‘precious girl’
In their statement, Aria’s family on her mother’s side said her death “has devastated us beyond words”.
“Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible,” they added.
“As a family, we are holding one another close and doing everything we can to support each other through this unimaginable time.”
They said they were “truly touched by the lovely messages we have received”, before asking “that our privacy is respected, as we try to come to terms with the terrible loss of our precious girl”.
Flowers laid in memory of the young girl
‘Wacky ways and outright madness’
Mr Thorpe said: “How sad it’s going to be not hearing ‘Dad, how long left?’ on our long journeys back and forth at weekends.
He then said that Aria was “such a brave, kind-hearted and a beautiful innocent soul”, and “always put a smile on people’s faces with your wacky ways and just outright madness”.
Mr Thorpe added: “Your other little family down here in Portsmouth will forever miss you.
“We’ll miss you begging to go outside, even in the pouring rain just to have as much fun as possible in the little time we had at weekends.
“You will be greatly missed, you special little angel. A life gone far too early but I hope a life lived well. We all love you dearly. Goodnight darling.”
Teenager in court
Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, where he was remanded.
The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested in the Somerset village of Worle at 6.19pm on Monday.
He is next due in court on 16 March 2026. Appearing via video link from youth detention accommodation, he spoke only to confirm his name.
Judge Peter Blair KC set a provisional trial date for 15 June during the hearing.
A teenager charged with the murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe will stand trial in June next year.
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.
The defendant, who appeared via video link from youth detention accommodation, spoke only to confirm his name.
During a brief hearing, Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, set a provisional trial date for 15 June 2026.
The trial is expected to last two weeks.
Avon and Somerset Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare just before 6.10pm on Monday, where nine-year-old Aria had suffered a single stab wound.
Flowers laid in memory of the young girl
The boy was arrested in nearby Worle a short time later.
His father was among those attending in the public gallery.
The teenager is next expected to appear in court on 16 March.
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