Don’t attend A&E for non-emergency cases, plead NHS bosses

NHS chiefs are urging people in Sunderland and the North East to only use accident and emergency services for serious and immediate matters after new figures revealed more than 7,000 people attended major A&E departments in the region last weekend.

Of those, less than 3,000 actually needed to be admitted to a hospital bed, with many having less serious problems.

Statistics also show that, over the same period, there were more than 4,000 emergency 999 calls made to the North East Ambulance Service – with less than 50% were categorised as ‘red’ for the most serious and life-threatening emergencies.

NHS officials are now reminding people that A7E departments are there to treat serious emergencies, including suspected stroke, loss of consciousness, persistent and severe chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain or severe blood loss.

Health bosses are also urging people not to attend hospital for common winter ailments such as coughs or colds which can be effectively treated at home or by seeking help from a pharmacist.

They say this is especially the case for norovirus – sickness or diarrhoea – which is highly contagious and can easily be spread to people in hospital, those who are already unwell, and affect the number of beds available.

Dr Jane Weatherstone, associate medical director primary and community care at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “NHS staff working in emergency services across the North East are under intense pressure and must prioritise patients based on clinical need.”