Urgent warning to patients to stay away from major hospitals and GPs ahead of Easter rush
PATIENTS have been warned to stay away from major hospitals unless urgent, as the NHS braces itself for the Easter rush.
Health bosses said hospitals and GP surgeries will both get extremely busy over the holiday period and pleaded with the public to help make sure that “those who need emergency care over the bank holiday can be seen as quickly as possible”.
The Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership – which oversees NHS hospitals and GP surgeries in Surrey – advised patients to use NHS 111 and pharmacies for non-emergencies and minor ailments.
Professor Andrew Rhodes, joint chief medical officer at Surrey Heartlands NHS said: “We want everyone to enjoy the long bank holiday weekend and Easter holidays, whilst remaining safe and healthy.
“Should you become unwell, please make sure you are using the right service so that those who need emergency care over the bank holiday can be seen as quickly as possible.
“For non-emergencies, the NHS 111 service can be contacted either by phone or online where they will triage patients to the most appropriate service.
“Whilst pharmacies are open during the long weekend, GP surgeries are not, so do plan ahead with any repeat medication you may need to prevent you becoming unwell.”
Minor health concerns that you can get seen to at a pharmacy include:
- Ear infections
- Impetigo
- Insect bites
- Shingles
- Sinusitis
- Sore throats
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
You’ll be able to get advice and medication for all the above through the ‘Pharmacy First’ scheme, the trust said.
Meanwhile, NHS 111 is your place to If urgent medical advice is needed but it’s not an emergency, NHS 111 can be accessed online or by phone for help and guidance.
Hospital trusts within Surrey Heartlands are:
- Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
- Surrey and Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust
Other hospitals also followed suit in asking patients to “use NHS services wisely”.
The Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – which runs the Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital and Montagu Hospital – to avoid A&E unless absolutely necessary.
Dr Nick Mallaband, acting executive medical director of the trust, said: “Bank Holidays can be especially busy for the NHS.
“If you take time now to check you’ve got enough of your regular medications, know which local services are open, and understand where to go if you need help, you’ll be doing your bit to help keep emergency care free for those with urgent and life-threatening issues.”
It reminded patients to make sure they had enough of their prescription medication to last them through the bank holiday.
Meanwhile, residents of Portsmouth were told that “emergency departments are for life-threatening injuries and conditions, and are not the right place for non-urgent injuries or illnesses”.
“On average over 400 people attend the emergency department at Queen Alexandra Hospital each day during Bank Holiday weekends, including those who could be better treated elsewhere,” a notice posted to the Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust website said.
When you should call NHS 111 or go to A&E
NHS 111 is the best place to get help if you cannot contact your GP or if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a non-life-threatening situation.
If you’re not sure if you need to go to A&E, you should get hep from NHS 111.
You should visit an A&E department for genuine life-threatening emergencies, such as:
- Loss of consciousness
- Acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- Severe allergic reactions
- Severe burns or scalds
- Stroke
- Major trauma such as a road traffic accident
Less severe injuries can be treated in urgent care centres or minor injuries units.
Source: NHS
Its chief medical officer, John Knighton, said: “With GP practices closed over the long weekend, many people can be unsure where to seek medical treatment and may feel they have no choice but to visit the emergency department.
“This can place extra pressure on our staff, and because we prioritise patients with serious or life-threatening conditions, others will experience longer waits than we would like.”
NHS England issued its own guidance on how patients should seek help for their health over Easter.
A spokesperson told Sun Health: “If you need NHS help, especially over the often busy bank holiday weekend, it is vital that the public use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 if you need urgent medical help that is not life-threatening.
“You can call 111, visit 111 online or use the NHS App to get directed to the best place for you including your local GP practice, pharmacy or urgent treatment centre depending on your need – the service is free to use and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
You can find your nearest open pharmacy over the bank holiday by following this link.
NHSE also urged people over the age of 75, those in care homes or with weakened immune systems to book their spring Covid-19 boosters as soon “as possible” to avoid “getting seriously unwell if they catch the virus”.
Some 7.5 million in England are eligible for the vaccine, which helps reduce the risk of catching and spreading Covid, including new strains.
It comes after warnings that Covid cases have more than doubled since January this year.
Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor said: “The current rise in Covid cases appears to be driven by a combination of factors.
“New variants with increased transmissibility are likely playing a role, alongside waning immunity in the population, particularly among those who haven’t had a recent booster or infection.
“Additionally, seasonal changes and increased indoor social mixing can contribute to the spread, much like we see with other respiratory viruses.”