Public urged to think before they go to A&E

People are being urged not attend the A&E department at St John’s Hospital unless it is absolutely necessary.

NHS Lothian urged patients to choose health services wisely amid concerns that Emergency Departments (ED) are under significant pressure.

Clinicians have asked people to consider all other options before they made the trip to hospital.

They reminded patients that expert help, treatment and advice is available from local pharmacies, opticians, dentists and Minor Injuries Unit, while urgent advice and signposting was also available round the clock from NHS 24.

Emergency departments have been busier than normal recently, with the Royal Infirmary ( RIE) treating the majority of these cases.

Dr Alasdair Gray, clinical director of emergency medicine, NHS Lothian, said: “The ED is for life-threatening illness and injury and medical emergencies. We are here when patients need us, but in turn we need them to know that we are not here to treat routine or longstanding illness.

“There are many other expert services available. In many cases, they will provide patients with a swift diagnosis and identical treatment or advice as they would receive in the ED.

“The numbers of patients attending local Emergency Departments are higher than they have ever been, and we would ask patients to think twice and be responsible about their needs – could their condition be treated elsewhere?”

Patients with minor ailments, such as coughs and colds can receive vital advice and medicines to help ease their symptoms from their local pharmacist.

For anything relating to eye conditions, opticians should be the first port of call, while dental surgeries can advise and treat on mouth and toothache.

People who have hurt themselves, with sprains, minor burns or cuts, can easily be treated in the standalone Minor Injury Unit in the Western

General Hospital or the Minor Injury Unit at the RIE by expert practitioners who specialise in their types of injury.

For other symptoms and ongoing illness requiring more urgent attention and investigations, patients are asked to contact their GP.

Most practices offer same day appointments for people who need to see a GP urgently.

When out- of- hours, patients can contact NHS 24, who will advise on the best course of action and if necessary organise the right treatment.

A directory of services and more advice can be accessed at NHS Inform with more information on services in NHS Lothian.