RD&E’s emergency services facing unprecedented rise in attendance
The RD&E’s Emergency Department and Medical Triage Unit are under severe strain with record levels of people seeking urgent medical attention.
On Tuesday this week (31st May) 391 people attended the Trust – the highest number ever recorded. Attendance in A&E is up year on year by 11% compared to last May placing unprecedented pressure on emergency services.
With record levels of people coming to the A&E department at the RD&E, the public are being asked by doctors to use emergency services only when absolutely necessary.
Emergency services in A&E are for people facing life threatening conditions, serious illness or who are badly injured. Yet over the last month a number of people have sought treatment for minor ailments and conditions which could all be treated elsewhere.
A significant proportion of people coming into A&E are given “advice and guidance” only - information they could have obtained from other sources such as NHS 111, a pharmacist or a GP.
Commenting on the pressures faced by the RD&E, Medical Director Mr Adrian Harris, said: “We are seeing the numbers of people attending our A&E department at record levels. Although we are now in summer the attendance at A&E exceeds the busiest days we face in the depths of winter.
“We need to be able to concentrate on the most seriously ill and injured patients, so if it’s not an emergency please visit or phone your GP practice, pharmacy, minor injuries unit or NHS 111 who are best placed to help.
“We don’t want to stop people coming to A&E who really need to be here, but I would encourage people who require medical attention to stop and think about where they can receive the most appropriate treatment.”
Over the last few weeks and during the busy half term holiday people have sought medical attention from the Trust’s Emergency Department for minor sports injuries, sprains, cuts and insect bites.
“Our Emergency Department is currently very busy so we’d ask that you only visit in an emergency. So before you decide to visit A&E, please stop and ask yourself – ‘could I be seen by my GP or a pharmacist about this?’”
The following handy tips have been issued by NHS NEW Devon CCG:
- Try your family or self-care - for minor illnesses, combine medicines for coughs, colds or flu with plenty of rest.
- Pharmacist/chemist - pharmacists are trained to help people with minor illnesses and can advise on medicine that can be bought over the counter. Your nearest pharmacy can be found here: www.nhs.uk.
- NHS minor injuries unit (MIU) - for treatment of minor illnesses or injuries, without an appointment. For details of your nearest MIU, go to www.nhs.uk.
- GP- Your local GP surgery provides a wide range of health services, including: advice on health problems, vaccinations, examinations and treatment, prescriptions for medicines, referrals to other health services and social services. Your surgery will make sure you get to speak to a healthcare professional on the same day if you have an urgent condition.
- NHS 111 – Call 111 if you are feeling unwell, unsure, or if you want health advice and guidance for non-emergency health needs, 24 hours a day, as well as help to find services. You can also visit www.nhs.uk
