AN NHS hospital’s oxygen supply has reached a “critical situation” as staff are treating a rising number of Covid-19 patients.

Mid & South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said in a letter to staff that the amount of oxygen used to treat patients at Southend Hospital should be reduced.

Hospital managing director Yvonne Blucher said: “We are experiencing high demand for oxygen because of rising numbers of inpatients with Covid-19 and we are working to manage this.