More than 200 book ahead for A&E visits

AN ‘EXCITING’ system allowing patients to book A&E visits in advance at Queen Alexandra Hospital has proved a success as up to 210 people used it in its first week.

Last week QA Hospital in Cosham became one of the first hospitals in the country to begin using NHS 111 to provide booked time slots for its A&E, rather than joining a queue in a bid to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading.

Although patients can still turn up to the department without a slot, it is thought up to 30 people have used the optional booking system every day.

Speaking at a health overview and scrutiny panel (Hosp) meeting, Mark Cubbon the chief executive of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: ‘We are one of the hospitals which is trialling out a new appointment booking service through 111 to ensure appropriate patients can access treatment and the right services.

‘It’s a really exciting development, one our community will support. We are trying to reduce the amount of time patients are waiting in the emergency department.

‘The booking appointment system already had between 20 and 30 patients a day through 111 that came to ED in a matter of hours.

‘Over the next couple of weeks we will ramp up our messaging to the local community about how best to access some of these services.’

Hosp member, Councillor Philip Raffaelli from Gosport Borough Council, added: ‘The booking system I think is a really great idea. Years ago there was an idea of putting all contact through 111 and groups we spoke to were against it.

‘I think it is a great opportunity and the vast majority of people are happy, but if we get to the point where there is a significant change we would need a consultation.’

Mr Cubbon also indicated that attendance rates at the ED are starting to ‘return to normal’ after lockdown saw a drop.

The pilot at QA is being run in partnership with South Central Ambulance Service.