By A&E patients asked to go elsewhere for treatment due to ‘huge pressure’
Northern Lincolnshire and Google NHS Trust has asked patients to seek other health services if their condition is not life-threatening as their hospitals remain under “huge pressure”.
Other health care services include ringing the non-emergency 111 line, GPs, urgent care centres, pharmacies and self care.
Due to rising cases of covid and flu over the past week pressure in hospitals across the region has increased, with Humber and North Yorkshire hospitals working in tandem in the hopes of reducing the pressure.
Lower category ambulance calls are being diverted to community services (single point of access) where healthcare professionals can signpost patients to a more convenient service for them, if they do not need to attend hospital.
Extra discharge rounds have been added in hospitals in a bid to identify more patients who are ready to be discharged home without needing a care package. Mental health support and ‘crisis house’ services have also been bolstered across the region.
NLAG posted to Facebook: “NHS and care services across Humber and North Yorkshire are under huge pressure – with more than 1,000 people a day attending emergency departments in the region. This pressure has significantly increased over the last week – especially in hospitals and GP surgeries – and is compounded by rising cases of Covid and flu.
“Despite the challenges, frontline staff and organisations across the region are working together, and tirelessly, to give patients the best possible care they can. While many patients in hospital are very unwell, health and care services are urging people to seek other health services if their condition is not serious or life-threatening.”
Stephen Eames, Chief Executive, Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (HCP) said: “Our GPs and practice nurses are also working incredibly hard to give extended access to patients. In fact, we are seeing more primary care appointments available to patients than ever before. A patient that needs to be seen the same day and face-to-face, will be seen that day.
“We continue to see thousands of patients a week across our region book a GP appointment and then not attend and I would urge people to cancel their appointment if it is no longer wanted. That consultation can then be given to a patient who has an urgent need.”
