Pressure mounts on A&E units

Nearly 24,000 people have attended NHS Lanarkshire’s three accident and emergency departments since the start of December – with health board officials asking people to“stop and think”before heading to emergency rooms to help ease pressure.

They say this winter so far has already been one of the busiest in recent years; with months of the traditionally busy period of seasonal illnesses, including flu, still to go.

In the five weeks to January 5, there were 7934 attendances at Monklands Hospital’s accident and emergency department, and a combined total of 23,794 between the Airdrie site, Wishaw and Hairmyres.

The highest attendance of the 15 months up to November was in August, when an unseasonably high 6312 arrived at the department – prompting NHS Lanarkshire to declare the service was“under immense pressure”; the busiest month of last winter was January, with 6075 patients.

John Keaney, the health board’s divisional medical director for acute services, said: “Winter is always incredibly busy for A&E but this has been the busiest on [recent] record with increasing numbers of people continuing to attend.

“This is putting enormous strain on services which are already under pressure and preparing to cope with a predicted flu outbreak.

“We’re asking people to stop and think before going to A&E – if people consult the expert help on their doorstep, then emergency units can be kept free to treat patients and vulnerable people facing serious health problems.”

A winter health campaign is promoting the community health services available for non-emergency situations without first having to see a GP or spend hours waiting at A&E – including pharmacists, dentists, opticians, physiotherapists and minor injuries clinics.

Residents should seek information at www.nhsinform. scot first, where online chat advice and self-help guides are available; ensure home medicine cabinets are stocked with the basics; and to speak to a pharmacist for advice on minor ailments and infections and a range of over-the-counter remedies.

Appointments can be made with GPs if the illness doesn’t go away, including for phone consultations and fast-track referrals; and NHS 24 can be contacted on 111 for urgent support.