WYRE Forest residents who need non-emergency medical treatment have been reminded to use alternative services rather than going straight to A&E.

With the demand for services across Worcestershire remaining high, Worcestershire Acute Hospital Trust has asked patients to use the different facilities which are available.

These include going to Kidderminster minor injury unit (MIU), seeing a GP, telephoning NHS 111 for advice or visiting a pharmacy.

Ruth Davoll, urgent care lead for NHS Wyre Forest Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “Like many other parts of the country, our A&E departments are seeing a huge increase in demand for services.

“It’s important for people to know which is the most appropriate treatment for their illness so that emergency healthcare is only used by those people who need it.”

“Patients with a wide range of minor injuries which do not require a visit to A&E, such as cuts, wounds, sprains, strains and minor burns, can be treated at the minor injury unit at Kidderminster, where waiting times are often low.

“Unnecessary trips to A&E not only put a strain on NHS resources but also put lives at risk.”

A minor injury unit, where an appointment is not necessary, do not treat conditions such as colds, coughs or infections.

The reminder comes after both Worcestershire Royal and Alexandra Hospitals reached ‘Escalation Management level 4’ due to the high levels of attendances to the emergency department.

Figures released by the trust indicated where the 444 emergency patients throughout the county attended on Tuesday, January 6 – with Kidderminster Hospital third on the list.

The town's MIU received 52 patients throughout the day, which was lower than the 150 who attended the Alexandra and the 172 patients who turned up to Worcestershire Royal.

The trust has also asked flu victims to not attend hospital or visit friends and family if feeling unwell, but to phone 111 or see a GP in the first instance.

For more information about the best service to use for particular illnesses visit isaandeforme.com

 

NHS Wyre Forest Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has released a short quiz to see whether you would choose the right service.

You’ve hurt your ankle dancing in those killer heels at the weekend. Do you:

a. Dial 999?

b. Go to A&E?

c. Rest with your leg elevated; use an ice pack, wait to see how it feels when the swelling goes down and don’t be surprised if it takes between 6 – 8 weeks before feeling back to normal?

You’re sure you’ve contracted man-flu. Your head feels full of cotton wool but you can still function. Do you:

a. Go to the GP demanding antibiotics?

b. Go to A&E asking for the night nurse?

c. Go to the pharmacy for cough and cold remedies, and then take to your bed with plenty of fluids?

You’ve got the lurgy and you know this because it’s manifesting from both ends *ahem*. Do you:

a. Get your mate to drive you to A&E?

b. Phone Mum?

c. Go see the pharmacist for relief medicines, wash your hands regularly and keep away from hospitals with vulnerable people in?

You’re planning on a big night in the student union bar. Do you:

a. Hope your friends will take you to A&E if you pass out?

b. Hope someone will flag down a passing ambulance?

c. Be sensible. And failing that, make sure you’re stocked up on painkillers and drink plenty of water.

The correct answer to all of these is c.