According to Coventry Primary Care Trust :-
More patients across the West Midlands are calling an ambulance and attending A&E departments than last year. Health bosses are today urging the public to seek the right treatment for their illness.
As the NHS heads into the busiest time, West Midlands hospitals and emergency services are already reporting record numbers of patients calling 999, and high levels of very sick patients attending accident and emergency departments (A&E) at local hospitals.
The NHS is always prepared and is used to planning for winter, and this year is no different. According to the Met Office, the recent period of very cold weather is expected to continue over the next few weeks. Frosty mornings, and freezing frosty nights, chilly winds and even the possibility of some snow flurries are forecast across the West Midlands for the next two weeks up until Christmas.
People can help the NHS during these busy times by making sure they use NHS services appropriately. If it’s not an emergency, please don’t go to A&E or ring 999.
Generally, you should treat the situation as an emergency if, for example:
• someone has stopped breathing or their heart has stopped,
• the person is experiencing severe chest pain or is having trouble breathing,
• there is severe bleeding from any part of the body,
• the person is, or has been, unconscious,
• there is a suspected broken bone or dislocation,
Cuts, bruises and sprains are not normally considered to be emergencies. They can usually be treated at home, by your GP or in an NHS walk-in centre or a minor injuries unit. If you are not sure if it is an emergency, you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for advice on what to do.
As hospitals throughout the region become busier, health chiefs today issued some easy tips to help people to stay safe and healthy.
“This year Winter has struck early with a vengeance – and so has the seasonal round of colds, flu and other ailments that can develop into serious illness for older people or those with long-term health conditions.
“There is a lot that people can do for themselves and their families to avoid becoming ill or having accidents,” said Dr Rashmi Shukla, Regional Director of Public Health at NHS West Midlands.
“Some visits to A&E are avoidable but can lead to delays in people being seen in the emergency departments. We’re sure that most people would much prefer to avoid a trip to A&E if they possibly can.
“So we hope our guidance will also help patients to seek the right medical advice, whether that means a visit to A&E or treatment nearer to their homes, like visiting pharmacist or a GP that can help you. By making the right choice at the right time, patients will get the fastest, best possible treatment.
“If people are unsure about where to go for treatment, NHS Direct can help them make the right choice to meet their needs.
“As always, NHS staff are doing a fantastic job in highly pressurised environments.
Paramedics, ambulance drivers and doctors and nurses and other staff working in A&E departments are, as always, working incredibly hard to care for very sick patients that are coming through the doors”.
Tips for staying healthy and getting the right treatment if you need it:
• Winter always brings more coughs, colds, sore throats and flu – but this year it has arrived earlier than usual. If you start to have the symptoms of flu or a heavy cold, stay at home, keep warm and take plenty of non-alcoholic drinks.
• Make sure you have cold and flu medications in the house, as well as other basic first aid supplies such as painkillers, plasters, bandages and anti-diarrhoea medication. This is especially important over the Christmas period when your local GP surgery and pharmacy may be closed on Bank Holidays. When stocking up with flu remedies, check first with your GP or pharmacist if you are on other medication to make sure the medicines are right for you.
• NHS Direct – on 0845 4647 or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk – is available 24 hours a day to give confidential advice and information on what to do if you, or a member of your family, are ill.
• Your local pharmacist can advise you about minor medical problems. Check for the opening times at your nearest pharmacy or call your PCT for the latest information.
• All GP surgeries offer an emergency out-of-hours service. If you call when the surgery is closed your call will be automatically diverted to the Out of Hours service.
• For more serious injuries or illnesses, hospital Accident & Emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including all bank holidays. Examples of serious injuries or illnesses include critical or life-threatening situations such as head injury, broken bones or dislocation, severe chest pain or breathlessness, choking and difficulty breathing, ingestion of toxic substances and severe bleeding.
• The best way of warming up is to keep active, which is also good for the heart. A few gentle exercises at home can keep the blood flowing properly. Extra layers of clothing, including wearing a hat to go out, and regular hot drinks and meals are just what the doctor orders for the cold weather! Keep your home warm.
• Check on any elderly relative or neighbour living alone
• Norovirus and other stomach bugs can usually be best dealt with by rest and drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Most people make a full recovery within 1-2 days, however some people (usually the very young or elderly) may become very dehydrated and require hospital treatment.
• Wash your hands regularly. Correct respiratory and hand hygiene (RHH) practice is one of the most effective actions the public can take to protect themselves and others from infection and the spread of germs that can lead to cold, flu and other illnesses.