Lincs: Think twice before heading to accident and emergency departments

Accident and emergency departments are seeing unprecedented numbers of patients so it is imperative that only those acute emergency patients attend Accident and Emergency.
NEWS: The Gainsborough StandardNEWS: The Gainsborough Standard
NEWS: The Gainsborough Standard

With this increased pressure patients are being asked to think carefully and consider all options before going to an accident and emergency department. 

There are a wide range of alternatives including GP, contacting your local pharmacy, calling the NHS 111 service or attending an urgent care unit/minor injuries unit.

Please think twice before you go to A and E. If it’s not serious or life threatening, you shouldn’t be there. 

Over the Christmas period East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS) dealt with 5,448 more calls than during the same period last year, the NHS 111 service also saw an increase of 20,000 more calls that during the same period last year and Lincolnshire A and Es saw a 30 per cent increase in the number of attendances.

Alternative services include a pharmacy. Your local pharmacist can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaints, without you having to go to your GP or other healthcare setting.

NHS 111, which is a service which makes it easier for you to access NHS services. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and is free when you telephone 111. Y

ou can call 111 when you need medical help fast but is not a 999 emergency.

If you need a doctor out of normal hours, dial NHS 111 to contact the GP Out of Hours service.

There is a Walk-In Centre in Monks Road, Lincoln amd there is a Minor Injury Units at John Coupland Hospita in Ropery Road, Gainsborough. These are both open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

Related topics: