Hospitals declare ‘black alerts’ in winter beds crisis as health bosses ask relatives to collect elderly patients

East Midlands hospitals are among 24 UK trusts that have declared ‘black alerts’ due to a crisis over bed numbers. Two trusts in Leicester and Nottingham have reached the highest level – OPEL four – under NHS protocols to track rising pressures and risks to patients. Hospitals have asked relatives to collect elderly family members where possible to free up spaces. This time last year, just two hospital trusts across the UK had issued such warnings. Non-urgent operations at Leicester and Nottingham hospitals have been cancelled over the holiday period.