NHS doctor urges people to 'stay away from A&E' this winter

Winter is the busiest clip of the twelvemonth for overworked A&E departments and 2 fifths of attendances could really beryllium amended treated elsewhere, according to NHS England

A starring NHS doc is urging radical to debar A&E departments this wintertime and alternatively usage the 111 work for non-life-threatening conditions.

With A&E typically experiencing its busiest play during winter, NHS England estimates that astir 40 per cent of attendances could beryllium treated much efficaciously elsewhere. Recent NHS information shows that astir 1 successful six 999 calls (16.3% oregon 124,038) successful the past period were resolved with objective proposal implicit the phone, marking a important summation of implicit 150 per cent since the pandemic.

The 111 service, disposable 24/7, tin nonstop individuals to the astir suitable section service, specified arsenic urgent attraction centres, GP practices, oregon pharmacist consultations. It tin besides put callbacks from nurses, doctors, oregon paramedics, oregon supply self-treatment proposal implicit the phone, reports the Express.

Professor Julian Redhead, NHS nationalist objective manager for urgent and exigency care, advises that 999 and A&E services should lone beryllium utilized for life-threatening emergencies oregon superior injuries.

For each different cases, helium recommends utilizing 111, either online oregon via the NHS app, to "get to the assistance they need". He stated: "As we attack the busiest clip of twelvemonth for A&Es, we privation to marque definite that each patients are getting the safest imaginable attraction which is wherefore we are launching our run encouraging everyone to 'get to the assistance they need' by utilizing NHS 111 online oregon telephone services this winter.

"We cognize that up to two-fifths of A&E attendances could beryllium amended treated elsewhere, arsenic good arsenic 1 successful six calls to 999 conscionable needing proposal implicit the phone, truthful I truly privation to promote everyone to usage our free, astir the timepiece 111 work that tin springiness millions of radical this wintertime fast, harmless and casual entree to the proposal oregon attraction they need.

"Our plans for wintertime see easier entree to urgent attraction centres and assemblage care, and truthful whether 111 gives you implicit the telephone objective advice, directs you to a pharmacist, GP squad oregon assemblage provider, oregon arranges a telephone with a caregiver oregon paramedic, by utilizing it you tin assistance america guarantee everyone is getting the attraction they need. And arsenic ever, it is captious that the nationalist usage 999 and A&E successful beingness threatening situations."

Health curate Karin Smyth added: "We've protected A&Es from strikes this wintertime and are supporting the NHS to header with wintertime pressures – but with a engaged play ahead, it's important radical lone be A&E for exigency care.

"With 85% of calls answered successful nether a minute, NHS 111 provides accelerated entree to adept proposal connected a scope of wellness concerns. By utilizing NHS 111 first, radical volition beryllium rapidly directed to the astir due care, whether that's an urgent attraction centre, pharmacy, oregon exigency services."