Around 2,000 patients turned up at A&E and MIUs in Cornwall over Christmas
The NHS has issued a New Year appeal, as it braces for anticipated surge in Omicron Covid cases
Last updated 31st Dec 2021
Health bosses have given us a breakdown of the demand for services over Christmas, saying it has been one of the busiest years for NHS staff across Cornwall.
There have been 2,000 emergency department and minor injury unit attendances, over 3,600 calls to the 111 and out of hours GP service, and more 420 calls to the mental health line since Christmas Eve.
Over the four-day period, there were an unprecedented number of calls to the integrated care service which provides 111 and out of hours GP services.
On Boxing Day alone, the team dealt with more than 883 callers, 92 clinic appointments and made 69 home visits.
Earlier in December, officials published an open letter to ahead of an anticipated surge in Coronavirus cases in the Duchy.
Now officials have issued a fresh appeal urging people to avoid casualty unless it is a life or death emergency, ahead of what is expected to be a busy New Year.
Kieran Bignell, System Director of Emergency Care at NHS Kernow said: "It’s been a busy time for our staff in acute and community hospitals, mental health, 111 integrated urgent care and emergency ambulance services. A massive thank you goes out to everyone who has been providing care through the Christmas break".
Whilst only 216 people turned up at the emergency department and minor injury units on Christmas Day, that number rose by 141% to 512 on bank holiday Monday.
More than half of the 2,000 attendances were on the 27th and 28th of December alone.
Susan Bracefield, Chief Operating Officer at RCHT said: "We prepared well for the bank holiday, discharging as many of those ready to leave hospital as we could, so we had beds available for the additional demand we see on our services at this time of year, when some of the usual support networks are less available.
"Over the next few days we will be doing that again as we head toward the New Year bank holiday. Our community can really help us by collecting relatives and friends before 10 am on the day they are ready to leave hospital.
"We also need to ask for everyone’s continued support in using the right services if you do need health care or advice.
"GP surgeries are open this week and will be open again as usual after the bank holiday. Pharmacies can also provide expert advice on a wide range of minor ailments and the Handi App, which you can download to your smartphone, is a great source of information for treating common childhood illnesses".
Kieran added: "Unless your need is serious or life-threatening please help us by not coming to our emergency department or calling out of hours services with a long-standing condition, or something that could otherwise wait.
"Our clinical teams need to be able to concentrate on those people who are in genuinely urgent need. 111 online can guide you to the right place, and if you’re calling 111 by phone, do give us more time to answer during busy periods".
NHS Kernow says over the coming weeks Cornwall could also see the impact of the Omicron covid variant on the demand for hospital and other services and everyone is urged to make sure they are fully vaccinated, including booster doses.
It can take around 7 to 10 days for the vaccine to start working, and the side effects are mild compared to the symptoms of COVID-19.
Vaccination clinics are open throughout this week and next, including plenty of walk-in sessions.
NHS Kernow is urging people to "start 2022 by giving yourself, your loved one and our NHS protection from COVID-19".
Details of times and locations can be found on the NHS Kernow website and you can book an appointment by calling 119 or online via the national booking service.
Information on all services available and how to access them can be found on NHS Kernow's Choose Well website, including mental health support.