Health chiefs seek public support

HOSPITAL and ambulance teams in Warrington are asking for public support to help them manage high demands for services over the festive period.
Across Cheshire and Merseyside, the number of ‘Category A’ life and death ambulance responses is increasing each month, with an average of approximately 331 per day in October, 345 per day in November and 367 per day based on the data available so far for December.
Dr Andy Davies, (pictured right) local GP and Chair of Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We have plans in place to ensure that everyone who needs emergency care can get it as quickly as possible. But we need your help. Unless it is a life-threatening or serious emergency, stay away from A&E and don’t call 999.”
The number of vulnerable people being admitted to hospital as emergency cases is increasing as a result of the cold weather causing more respiratory problems, heart attacks and strokes. In addition, norovirus is getting into hospitals and affecting the number of beds available. The combination of these means that already busy A&E and ambulance services are under added pressure.
Dr Davies added: “It’s widely known that one in five people goes to A&E even when they know they don’t need to be there. Please don’t be one of them.
“There are other places you can go to for help with non-urgent health problems, such as your local high street pharmacy.
“In the first instance, we would encourage people to consider whether they can self-care. Advice on home treatments for common illnesses such as upset stomachs, colds and flu and minor aches and sprains is available on the NHS Choices website. We certainly don’t want to see people in A&E because they have a hangover or have eaten too much.
“We would urge people to think about the possible consequences of their actions – longer waiting times and staff under tremendous pressure, when they should be focusing on patients who are real emergencies. Just think – if your loved one had a heart attack, you’d want them treated as quickly as possible wouldn’t you?”
Full details of all local NHS services, including Christmas and New Year opening hours, are available online at www.warringtonccg.nhs.uk/local-services.
For help with choosing the right health option for you, follow our online Choose Well advice at www.warringtonccg.nhs.uk/your-health/choose-well.
Always start with self-care and work through the list to find the most appropriate course of action.