STOP WASTING OUR TIME?


Mick Pilling (writes) This will increase; more visits to A & E as the NHS & PCT close Minor Injuries Units at other hospitals, lets not forget this is the NHS free to everyone, we have paid for this service reflected in taxes, i.e. National Insurance Contributions paid all our lives.

We are seeing more and more hospitals reducing services as the NHS claws back money in cost reducing exercises, look at Hornsea, Withernsea, Driffield & Bridlington hospitals.

Sore throats can be treated at home but there are certain illnesses that need professional treatment, insect bites can also lead to complication.  Hull A & E is feeling the effects of NHS cut backs.


29 June 2006
Patients seeking treatment for ailments such as sore throats and insect bites were today told to stay away from Hull's crowded casualty unit.

Hull Royal Infirmary's Accident & Emergency department is being swamped by up to 400 people a day - 250 more than it was designed for.

And doctors and nurses say their time is being wasted by people who are neither accident victims or in need of emergency treatment.

Today, they urged people to help ease pressure on the healthcare system by seeking treatment more appropriate to the illness from either a GP or pharmacist. HRI managers believe education is the key to reducing the number of unnecessary visits.

Ruth Marsden, chairman of the hospital trust's Public and Patient Involvement Forum, said: "I have a mixture of concern and sympathy for the A &E staff.

"Anyone worried about their health is worthy of consultation, but people who have minor ailments are wasting doctors' time.

"The trust has tried a range of ways to deal with the problem, but it is the public's responsibility.

"Services are there for people who need them, but they must use the appropriate level for the ailment."

Lesley Windass, emergency care network manager at the A &E unit in Anlaby Road, said: "A &E is seeing more than twice the number of patients it was designed for.

"We cannot pin down the reason we are getting so many patients, but I think it is a combination of things.

"People want somewhere they can just walk into and they think A &E gives the best care. It is almost a cultural thing."

She said extra resources were brought in to A &E at peak times, such as during major sporting fixtures and extreme weather, but people should consider the severity of their illness before going to casualty.

There are minor injuries units in Driffield, Bransholme, Beverley, Hornsea and Withernsea. Advice and medication can also be given by GP's and pharmacists.

Ms Windass said: "We often get people with sore throats, insect bites, headache or earache and illness they've had for several days. The worst are often parents concerned about a child's minor illness.

"Coming into A &E doesn't mean people will get into the hospital system quicker, because we send them back to their GP."

Staff at Hull's A &E see more than 100,000 people every year. It is one of Britain's busiest.

 
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