PEOPLE in Redditch and surrounding areas are being advised that, unless they have a life threatening condition, they should not go to Accident and Emergency (A&E).
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAHT) is experiencing a high demand and has implemented their Full Capacity Protocol as all of their current bed capacity is full.
The Trust is prioritising the safety of the sickest patients and making extra space available on wards within the hospitals.
The trust is also identifying those patients who can be safely discharged sooner than originally planned. This may be either to the patient’s home or to another bed such as a community hospital or care home with medical support in place.
The county’s three NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove, NHS South Worcestershire and NHS Wyre Forest) and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust are urging the public during this busy time to understand what options are available to them and to choose alternative services to A&E where it is appropriate to do so.
Patients are being encouraged to contact their own GP, visit their local pharmacist or dial NHS 111 for advice and support about alternative services, such as Minor Injury Units in Evesham or Bromsgrove.
More information about choosing the right health service at the right time, as well as where people can access services, can be found on www.isaandeforme.com
Rab McEwan, Interim Chief Operating Officer at WAHT, said: “We are asking people to choose their health services carefully. A lot of conditions we see in A&E don’t need the emergency treatment our specialist doctors and nurses are here to give.”
Jo Galloway, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: “Many minor health problems and complaints such as muscular, minor sports injuries can be solved with self-care. Unnecessary trips to A&E not only put a strain on NHS resources but also put lives at risk.”
Medics are urging people to remember that A&E is for emergency and life-threatening conditions only.
