'Real strain' on A&E in Doncaster as admissions near record levels
Hospital bosses at the DRI are worried about pressure over the bank holiday weekend
Hospital bosses in Doncaster say A&E at the DRI is under 'real strain' heading into the bank holiday weekend as admissions near record levels.
The daily number of patients has gone up by 10% compared to pre-pandemic levels and doctors are worried what the next few days will bring.
They're urging people to only go to the emergency department if it's really necessary over the long weekend.
Dr Nick Mallaband is Divisional Director for Medicine at the DRI:
"Beforehand at Doncaster Royal Infirmary we were having somewhere around 300 or 310 attendances a day. We're now up in the 330s or 340s. We actually had one day this week when we were up to 380 which I think is a record for us.
"We're dealing with that on top of having to stream people socially distanced and isolate people. It's actually really really tough.
"We've spent a lot of effort getting our staffing right for the bank holiday so we can cope with everything that comes through the door. But it still makes us worried about what the demand is going to be, especially as the graphs I've been seeing at the moment are just going up and up and up."
The trust have given the following tips to help people ease the strain on A&E:
- Self-care – A lot of illnesses or symptoms can be treated in your home by using a well-stocked medicine cabinet and by getting plenty of rest.
- NHS 111 – This 24 hour, seven day service offers confidential health advice and information over the phone. To access the NHS 111 service text-phone, call 18001 111.
- Pharmacist (chemist) – Your local pharmacist is a highly trained healthcare professional who can give you advice on common illnesses and the medicines you need to treat them.
- GP – Your own GP is the best person to speak to about persistent health problems and illnesses that won’t go away. These include coughs, joint pain and long term symptoms.
- Minor Injuries Unit at Montagu Hospital – The unit is open every day from 9.00am to 9.00pm, except on Christmas Day when it is closed. The unit re-opens on Boxing Day. The unit is staffed by experienced emergency nurse practitioners who can assess and treat a wide range of minor injuries and ailments, including sprains, cuts and bruises, and some simple fractures.
- Emergency Department or 999 – Hospital emergency departments provide immediate emergency care for people who show the symptoms of serious illness or are badly injured. If you call 999 for an ambulance the telephone advisor will arrange appropriate assistance for the patient based on information about the illness or injury.
Dr Mallaband said:
“Please remember to only use the Emergency Department when it’s just that – an emergency. However, if you do feel ill during this time, you can still seek advice by calling NHS 111, booking an appointment at the Doncaster Same Day Health Centre and if it’s really urgent, calling 999.”