THE rising tide of Covid-19 patients requiring hospital treatment has prompted bosses at Basildon & Thurrock Hospital to put out an emergency call to staff to abandon their holiday and return to work.

The Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust, which runs the hospital, have sent an urgent plea to staff not at work and have asked doctors and nurses on annual leave to return, due to an "increasingly difficult situation" that the hospital is facing.

In an internal memo sent to staff, Chief Nursing Officer Diane Sarkar and Chief Medical Officer David Walker asked staff if they would consider giving up their booked annual leave and return to work due to the increasing demand on hospital services.

The memo continues: "We know that your leave is important, and this is not a request we are making lightly, but if you are able to come into work to support your colleagues and care for the patients who need us we would be extremely grateful."

The plea by hospital bosses reflects news from NHS England which has confirmed that there are now more Covid patients in hospitals in England than at the previous peak in April.