Patients urged to Choose Well before going to A&E

People are being urged to go along into the Accident and Emergency department at Macclesfield Hospital if absolutely necessary.

With the A&E department experiencing a period of consistent high demand in recent weeks, East Cheshire NHS Trust is reminding people that A&E should only be used for urgent illnesses and injuries. 

Dr Darren Kilroy, Lead Clinician for Emergency Care with East Cheshire NHS Trust which runs Macclesfield Hosptial, said: “With Eastern Cheshire’s high elderly population, much of the demand on our department in recent months has come from very frail, elderly patients who are very unwell and do need to come to hospital.

“However, there are other patients who have attended A&E but could have sought help elsewhere, in many cases often more quickly and conveniently for themselves. It is vital that the only people coming in to A&E are those who really need to - please save A&E for emergencies and instead consider options such as local pharmacies, GP surgeries and NHS 111 for less urgent health issues.”

Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for emergencies, such as:

·                  Loss of consciousness
·                  Acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
·                  Persistent, severe chest pain
·                  Breathing difficulties
·                  Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped

For illnesses that are less urgent, people should first contact their local pharmacies, GP surgery or NHS 111. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can advise you on the best local service for the care you need.

The Minor Injuries Unit at Congleton War Memorial Hospital can also be used for minor injuries such as:

·         Minor burns
·         Cuts
·         Minor foreign body removal, ie splinters
·         Sprains
·         Minor finger dislocations

East Cheshire NHS Trust’s GP Out-of-Hours Service can also be used for assessment, advice and treatment as required for urgent healthcare problems that cannot safely wait until your GP surgery is open. The GP Out-of-Hours Service can be contacted by telephone via NHS 111.

Tags:

East Cheshire NHS Trust, Macclesfield Hospital