Update: 22 March 2024

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust have resolved the power interruption which led us to close the emergency department to new attendances at East Surrey Hospital.

Now that the issue is resolved, our Emergency Department is now open.

The advice below continues to apply as normal. Please think before coming to the Emergency Department and use the right service so we can make sure people who are critically ill are seen as quickly as possible.

A spokesperson at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said:

“East Surrey Hospital is now open to incoming patients. We continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure safe services for our patients.

 Thank you to the public for using alternative services. Thank you to all our teams and our system colleagues for their immense efforts in ensuring we were able to continue to provide for patients.”

Due to an unexpected power interruption Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust have declared a Major Incident at East Surrey Hospital. The hospital is safe but is closed to new attendances to the Emergency Department (ED). We ask the public not to come to East Surrey Hospital and seek alternative care for urgent treatment either in minor injury units and Urgent Treatment centres listed below, or alternative Emergency Departments.

A spokesperson for Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said:

“We are working closely with our system partners and are working to urgently resolve the unexpected power interruption at East Surrey Hospital.

To support us, we are asking members of the public to use other local alternatives to ED – including alternative local Emergency Departments and nearby treatment centres at Crawley, Caterham Dene, Horsham and East Grinstead if your condition is not life-threatening.”

Unfortunately, this does mean we have had to cancel some non-urgent operations and treatments. Patients whose appointments have been cancelled have been notified.

Patients who need medical advice or non-life-threatening care should:

  • Use 111 online as their first port of call as this will be able to identify the most appropriate local service, patients should only call 111 if they do not have access to the internet.
  • Patients should also make use of their local pharmacies for non-urgent medical issues such as headaches, an upset stomach, and other common illnesses safely and effectively at home. To find pharmacies open in our area, along with opening times, please click here.
  • Visit the local Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) and Minor Injury Units (MIU). These will be running as normal during industrial action:
  • Caterham MIU (if aged 18 and over) – Located at Caterham Dene Hospital, Church Road, Caterham, CR3 5RA. Open 9am – 8pm, seven days a week. This is a convenient alternative to A&E and is run by qualified emergency nurse practitioners. The MIU provides treatment for cuts and grazes, sprains and strains, broken bones (fractures), bites and stings, infected wounds, eye problems such as infections or scratches, sports injuries, minor burns and scalds. X-ray facilities available on site.
  • Crawley UTC – Located at Crawley Hospital, West Green Drive, Crawley, RH11 7DH. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. UTCs treat most injuries that are urgent but not life threatening. For example, sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries, bites and stings.
  • Horsham MIU – Located at Horsham Hospital, Hurst Road, Horsham, RH12 2DR. Open 9am – 5pm from Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays. They are a minor injuries unit staffed by emergency nurse practitioners and other nursing and ancillary staff. They provide assessment and treatment of a wide range of minor injuries in both adults and children. Following assessment patients may be treated and discharged or, if appropriate, referred onto other health care providers. X-ray facilities available on site.
  • East Grinstead MIU – Located at Queen Victoria Hospital, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, RH19 3DZ. Open 8am – 8pm, seven days a week. The unit is run by emergency practitioners who are well-trained and experienced specialist nurses and paramedics who are able to assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of minor injuries and ailments for both adults and children over one year old. X-ray is available for Minor Injuries Unit patients if required Monday - Friday 8.30am -5pm, Saturday 9am - 1pm and Sunday/bank holidays 10am - 1pm for adults and children over four years. On call cover is also available for emergency referrals outside of these hours.