Plea from region’s NHS to keep A&E and 999 free for emergencies
With pressure mounting on the region’s hospitals due to coronavirus, health leaders in the North East are appealing to the public to only attend A&E or call 999 if they have serious or life-threatening emergencies.
As cases of the virus continue to increase in the area, the NHS is asking people with less serious conditions to seek alternatives to just turning up at their local hospital’s A&E.
The plea is part of the region’s #DoYourBit campaign aimed at raising awareness of the first routes people should take for urgent medical advice and treatment – their pharmacy, GP and NHS 111.
The public is being asked to use NHS services sensibly and keep A&E and 999 free for people who need it most such as those who are experiencing loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties or chest pain.
This year A&E departments are coming under even more pressure than usual due to social distancing and infection control precautions, which mean the space available to care for people and allow NHS staff to work safely has been reduced by between 30 and 50 per cent.
Professor Gray added: “This is a particularly important message this winter with the NHS under pressure with coronavirus and departments needing to adhere to strict social distancing and infection control procedures in order to keep everyone safe.
“Many people who come into A&E could have been dealt with much more quickly and safely by an alternative healthcare service and we would urge the public to do your bit to help the region’s NHS.”
The public is also being asked to attend hospital sites on their own, where possible, to limit the number of people on-site and reduce the risk of infection to other patients and hospital staff.
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