A&E at Cornwall's main hospital so busy it's 'like New Year every day'
Bosses have issued an urgent appeal as Treliske remains on so-called black alert
Last updated 18th Aug 2021
The Emergency Department at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro is currently the busiest it has ever been.
Due to the increase in demand they're asking people unless it is a genuine emergency, to call their own GP or 111 first so they can be directed to the most appropriate place for care.
They hospital remains on so-called black alert which is the highest alert level of OPEL4.
Last month NHS England figures saw 18,259 patients visit A&E at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
That was a rise of 9% on the 16,828 visits recorded during June, and 36% more than July 2020
RCHT Medical Director, Dr Allister Grant said: “We need to be able to concentrate on people with serious and life-threatening illness and injury.
It’s like New Year every day. We’re the busiest we have ever been and people with emergencies like heart attacks, stroke and serious trauma are the ones who need the specialist care of an emergency department.
“Unfortunately, we’re still seeing a significant number of people turning up with less urgent conditions and in some cases they’re telling us they have been sent by their GP or the 111 service, when we can see from our records they haven’t made contact with them first.
"We really need people to make that call before they set out. They will be able to speak to an experienced clinician or GP if they need one, and importantly, they’ll be directed to the most appropriate place for their care".
Dr Allister Grant added: “You can call your own GP even if you are here on holiday and a pharmacist can give advice on minor ailments such as coughs and colds, sore throats, conjunctivitis, and nappy rash. Please help us, help you and keep the emergency department for real emergencies".
NHS Kernow's Choose Well website has up-to-date information on where else to go for care if it is not an emergency.