East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is appealing to communities to only attend the Emergency Department if they have a life-threatening condition.
Rising cases of flu, COVID and other winter illnesses are placing additional demands on services and Dr Georgina Robertson, Clinical Lead for Emergency Medicine for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said the department is the busiest she has ever seen it.
She said: “We are seeing over 700 patients a day in our emergency care pathways, with more than 100 people waiting for treatment within our Emergency Department at any one time.
“Our teams are working so hard to provide safe, personal and effective care. We know some people are having longer waits, depending on how serious their condition is, and we apologise for that but please know we have some really poorly people in A&E and we are treating everyone as quickly as we can.
“We have seen a sharp rise in the number of patients with winter illnesses who need support with infectious respiratory conditions, such as flu and our Emergency Department is the busiest I have seen it. We are encouraging people to help us reduce the spread of infection by wearing a face mask in healthcare settings, washing their hands regularly and staying at home to avoid contact with other people if you pick up a winter bug.
“We are always here if people need us but we would encourage everyone to use alternative services where possible to relieve this pressure we are facing.”
This includes:
- Self-Care – keeping yourself warm, hydrated and maintaining a well-stocked medicine cabinet
- 111.nhs.uk - can provide advice and sign-post to further help
- Pharmacies – can advise on most minor illnesses and offer over-the-counter remedies, including colds and flu
- General Practices - have a wide range of health professionals that can help you closer to home
- Minor Injuries Unit for suspected fractures, cuts, bruises, minor eye problems, burns, scalds and sprains
- Urgent Treatment Centres are for serious conditions such as suspected broken bones or breathing difficulties which need immediate care but are not life-threatening.
If you are feeling unwell, there are a range of self-care guides and advice at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/NHShealthwise