Isle of Wight's only emergency department 'full', say bosses
Islanders are being warned of delays in accessing services
Health bosses on the Isle of Wight are asking for the public's support after revealing that the island's only hospital emergency department is currently full.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust says the number of patients needing urgent and emergency care at St Mary's Hospital in Newport has reached peak levels.
The Island's ambulance service is also responding to a high number of 999 and 111 calls.
It has led to delays in being able to transfer people into emergency care, putting further pressure on the Island's health and care system.
The Trust is calling on the local community to help the situation by taking their relatives or friends home from the hospital as soon as they are declared ready to leave and to provide care and support from home if they can.
People are being reminded to visit 111 online or speak to a pharmacist, GP or practice nurse in the first instance for support with minor conditions that do not require hospital treatment.
Victoria Lauchlan, Chief Operating Officer at the Trust said:
“For people attending our Emergency Department at the moment we are really sorry that they are having to wait some time to be seen.
Our teams are working around the clock and together with our partners, we are doing all we can to support people to leave hospital as soon as they are ready but we need help."
Those with a relative or friend in hospital are being asked to take them home as soon as they are ready to leave and support them at home for a short time wherever possible.
Victoria Lauchlan added:
“As soon as a person is medically ready to leave hospital, they should be discharged to their place of residence.
"Every time one patient leaves the hospital it helps another person move through the hospital to ensure they get the care they need.
"This means the Emergency Department is free for those that need lifesaving care, and ambulances are able to quickly return to the community to provide emergency support to people."