Hospital bosses’ plea to avoid New Year pressure

Hospital bosses are appealing to people not to put extra pressure on emergency services over the New Year.

South Tyneside and City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trusts say they are dealing with a festive season surge which is putting local emergency care under pressure.

Both trusts have experienced particularly high numbers of attendances in their accident and emergency departments since Friday and this situation is continuing.

Dr Sean Fenwick, director of operations for the trusts, said: “Since Christmas, we have seen a major increase in the number of people attending South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital and we anticipate this pattern will continue in to the new year.

“Many of these patients do not need urgent treatment and we would appeal to people in our local communities to help ease the pressure by choosing the right NHS service.

“By working in partnership with the NHS, many people can stay well, prevent illnesses getting worse and get well again sooner, leaving our emergency teams free to treat patients with urgent and life-threatening illness and injury as quickly as possible.”

He added: “Self-care and visiting a pharmacist are options in the first instance for ailments which are common at this time of year, such as coughs and colds, upset stomachs and general aches and pains.

“If you really need to see a GP then they are providing more convenient appointment times for patients outside the standard working day by offering extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends. If in doubt, the free NHS 111 number is available 24/7 for expert medical advice.”

For details of opening times for local GPs and pharmacists, go to http://urgentoremergency.co.uk/.