A critical incident has been declared at hospitals across Nottinghamshire for second week in a row following a surge of Covid and flu cases.

The first was announced on January 3 when a sudden jump in patients requiring care triggered the NHS system to respond.

Dr Dave Briggs, the medical director at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire said: "Our acute hospitals remain under extreme pressure, so the critical incident status covering the whole Nottingham and Nottinghamshire NHS system remains in place.

"Although staffing levels have recovered, the increase in demand, particularly for patients presenting with seasonal and respiratory illnesses such as flu and Covid remains high. And with cold weather forecast to continue in the coming days, we are not yet in a position to step down the critical incident."