19 March 2013
Sheffield medical chiefs are strongly urging people to help their city’s Accident and Emergency department by only attending if absolutely necessary.
The department has been under significant pressure over the past few days and yesterday the Trust had one of its busiest ever days with 370 people attending the Emergency Department at the Northern General Hospital.
David Throssell, Medical Director, at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are seeing a big increase in the number of patients that are presenting at our Emergency Department this week. A number of these patients need very complex emergency care but at the same time we are regularly seeing people come to A&E with more minor conditions. For non urgent illnesses or injuries, people can help support us by going to the Walk in Centre on Broad Lane or the Minor Injuries Unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital instead of A&E. Both are open from early morning until late in the evening and you don’t need an appointment. Given the high level of demand at A&E, patients with less urgent injuries or illnesses are likely to be seen much more quickly at Broad Lane or the Minor Injuries Unit because at A&E we have to give priority to the most serious cases first."
