A&E at Bradford Royal Infirmary is under pressure
Hospital bosses are urging people to only come in if they're seriously ill
Doctors are reminding people to think carefully before coming to Bradford Royal Infirmary’s (BRI) Emergency Department (ED) as it is currently very busy and people with less urgent issues are experiencing longer waiting times.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs BRI, St Luke’s Hospital and the district’s community hospitals, said its services and wards are under significant pressure.
Dr Ray Smith, the trust’s Chief Medical Officer, said:
“Over the last couple of weeks the number of patients seeking treatment at our ED has increased considerably.
“The most urgent and life-threatening cases take priority, which means that unfortunately people coming in with less urgent issues are experiencing longer waiting times.
“We are asking everyone to think carefully before coming to ED. Members of the public can really help by making sure that if they do choose to come to ED for treatment, that it is the best place for them to go to get the right care, as soon as possible. Our ED is for accidents and emergencies only, such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, significant head injuries and broken bones.
“Using an alternative to ED when you aren’t seriously ill, such as calling NHS 111, consulting your GP or visiting your community pharmacist, could mean that you end up waiting less time to receive care.”
Pharmacists can assess and treat patients for seven common conditions, including sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (under the age of 65) without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.
For health needs that are not a life-threatening emergency but are urgent, or if you’re unsure what to do, NHS 111 will be able to advise you or direct you to the most appropriate part of the NHS, including booking an appointment for you if necessary. Go online at – 111.nhs.uk – or call 111 to speak to a fully trained advisor on the phone.
Last week, ED introduced a one visitor per patient restriction as the trust is also seeing an uptake in flu cases at BRI and is encouraging anyone eligible for their annual flu vaccine to get it as soon as possible.
This is part of the trust’s plans to protect patients from high levels of flu currently circulating, and to reduce overcrowding in ED.
It is also appealing to the public to "be kind" to hospital staff, especially those working in ED, as they do their best in challenging circumstances.