Fresh call to avoid A&E as pressures on services continue to stretch departments

A HEALTH watchdog in Leicestershire has added to calls for the public to avoid going to emergency departments unless it is urgent.

Healthwatch Leicestershire is encouraging patients to play their part in supporting services after Leicester’s Hospitals declared as “system critical incident” following an extended period of pressure last week.

The body is asking people to use alternative services such as their GP or pharmacy instead and to seek help as soon as they feel unwell.

Chairman Rick Moore said: “If it is not an emergency, please call NHS 111.

“The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is free to call from landlines and mobile phones.

“People can be seen by an experienced nurse, without an appointment at one of the eight urgent care centres, walk-in centres and minor injuries units across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

“Local pharmacies also play an important role for on-the-spot advice and remedies.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and do whatever we can to ensure patients are still able to access the services they need.”

Healthwatch Leicestershire have created a leaflet that includes a map of all the urgent care centres in the county.

Hospitals in Leicester declared the “critical incident” on January 10 saying they were above capacity as patients waited for extended periods for ward beds to become available.

Bosses at the trust said an extended period of pressure had contributed to the issue.

Patients were urged to only attend A&E if facing serious or life-threatening conditions and to seek advice from other services such as walk-in centres and pharmacies.

The Healthwatch Leicestershire leaflet can be found on http://alturl. com/rkk7z