Hospitals in Surrey have issued a desperate plea to patients, asking them only to attend accident and emergency (A&E) in cases of “life threatening” conditions. The NHS is under “significant pressure” as Surrey hospitals tell patients to follow alternative care methods and only use A&E as a last resort.
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital’s have updated it’s website, telling the public to go elsewhere if not in an emergency. Patients can be seen faster elsewhere, by following alternative routes such as calling 111 or attending minor units.
The notice on the website reads: “Please ensure that you choose the most appropriate service for your needs before coming to the emergency department. If it isn’t an emergency, you may be seen quicker elsewhere.”
Surrey Heartlands partnership announced that “all hospitals across Surrey are currently under significant pressure”, reiterating the same message as St Peter’s Hospitals for patients to choose the right services.
In a statement via the website, the announcement reads: “All hospitals across Surrey are currently under significant pressure. Please help us by using the right service.
“If your condition isn’t life-threatening, use other NHS services such as NHS 111 (by phone or online), your local pharmacy or GP practice, as well as local Walk-in Centres and Minor Injury Units.
“Please only attend Emergency Departments (A&E) for serious illnesses, accidents and life-threatening emergencies. You should continue to call 999 if your condition is life-threatening. Help us make sure emergency care is available to those who need it most.”
In a similar vein Surrey and Sussex Healthcare has also updates it’s website, stating A&E is exceptionally busy at the moment and patients should visit their GP, local pharmacy and other treatment centres for health advice.
Guildford’s Royal Surrey Hospital also posted on social media: “Surrey hospitals are currently under significant pressure. Please help us by using the right NHS service and only attend A&E for life-threatening emergencies. Let’s keep emergency care available for those who need it most.”
This comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced from Epsom Hospital that the government plans to reduce patient wait times by using the private sector. The statement was made to hospital workers, on Monday, January 6, with plans unveiled to by the Department of Health.
Patients including those on gynaecological waiting lists could be offered treatment in the private sector, funded by the NHS. By the end of March this year, 85% of acute NHS trusts should have rolled out a new function on the NHS App for patients, who will be able to see appointment information.
The Prime Minister used a speech to pledge “better use” of capacity in the private sector, with the NHS told it must actively tell patients when they can be treated at private hospitals.
A number of trusts declared a critical incident on Monday evening (January 6), many hospitals have reported exceptionally high numbers of patients with flu cases.
The UK Health Secretary Agency issued advice to those feeling unwell, urging people to stay home, wash hands regularly with soap, open windows when meeting others indoors and to consider wearing a mask.
With a yellow weather warning looming ahead, the Met Office have urged many to stay indoors and only travel if absolutely necessary. Elsewhere in the UK such as Leicestershire and Lincolnshire flooding and weather related incidents have sent A&E wait times skyrocketing.
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