WITH Warrington Hospital’s A&E department already under extreme pressure, residents are being urged to use NHS 111 for all non-emergency healthcare needs as resident doctors are set to begin strike action later this week.
The Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments should be used only when facing a serious or life-threatening emergency.
This latest round of industrial action, called by the British Medical Association (BMA), will take place from 7am on Friday 14 November to 7am on Wednesday 19 November and will severely impact NHS trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Earlier today the Trust issued a statement saying: “The Emergency Department (A&E) at Warrington Hospital is experiencing extremely high demand, with a significant increase in attendances. Our team is working hard to assess and treat patients as quickly and effectively as possible to reduce delays, prioritising our most unwell patients first.”
Dr Paul Fitzsimmons, Executive Medical Director at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “As we approach the busiest time of the year, we’re asking the public to continue using NHS services responsibly and to make careful choices when seeking urgent medical advice or care. By doing so, you help ensure that our emergency services are available for those who need them most.
“Please remember that A&E departments and the 999 service should be used only for serious or life-threatening conditions – such as cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, ongoing seizures, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, allergic reactions, or major head injuries. If you do need emergency care, please do not hesitate to come forward.
“For urgent but non-emergency medical needs, other options are available. You can use NHS 111 online for advice if you’re unsure which service to use or visit your local urgent treatment centre or pharmacy for support.”
NHS 111 can ensure that patients are signposted to the right service. The online service works the same as over the phone and is popular with people who want quick advice about the best options for getting the care they need. These can include a call back from a trained clinician or nurse, an appointment in A&E or other advice.
Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals has tried and tested plans in place for managing periods of disruption, including industrial action, to ensure the safety of patients remaining in hospital at these times.
The Trust will prioritise resources to protect urgent and emergency care services, critical care, neonatal care, maternity and trauma services and aims to mitigate the impact on patients who have waited longest for elective care and cancer surgery.
Dr Fitzsimmons added: “Resident doctors play a vital role in our hospitals, contributing across many departments, including A&E. We are doing everything we can to keep any disruption toservices to a minimum.
“Patients should attend any planned appointments as normal, unless they are contacted directly by the Trust.”
For more information on Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals services during the planned industrial action, please check the Trust’s website www.whh.nhs.uk or follow the Trust’s social media channels.
More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website.
