South Western Ambulance Service experiencing 'particular pressure' in Cornwall
People are being urged to choose the right services for help
The South Western Ambulance Service has issued an appeal as it is currently experiencing 'particular pressure' in Cornwall.
The trust, which is very busy across the region, is urging people to only dial 999 in a real emergency and to choose the right NHS services for treatment.
Ambulances have been experiencing long waiting times to get patients into hospital, with reports of long queues outside A&E at Treliske in recent weeks.
Posting on social media on Wednesday, SWAST said: "We're very busy across the whole region currently, with #Cornwall experiencing particular pressure: please help us by only calling an #ambulance in a life-threatening emergency."
It comes following a fresh warning from hospital bosses that our health system facing unprecedented demand.
With growing numbers of people in hospital with Covid-19, more than 10 wards across acute and community hospitals have areas closed because of people who had tested negative on admission but were harbouring the virus which appeared a day or two later.
Speaking on behalf of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s health and care system, NHS Kernow’s chief nurse Natalie Jones said: “Omicron transmission is causing significant problems for all our services and preventing the movement of people from 1 aspect of their care to the next. Although overall numbers are lower, it’s the busiest we have been at any point in the pandemic because it’s happening at the time of year when we have usual winter pressures on services as well.”
“We know we have asked before, but we really do need to call upon our population to help us by making the right choices if they need help with injuries or illness, and to only use 999 or the emergency department if it is a life-threatening situation. As always, we ask people to consider if it is something they can treat themselves, can speak to a pharmacist about, or contact their own GP. If they aren’t sure which service to use, please call NHS 111 or visit nhs.uk for expert advice.”
“Families and friends can also help if they can support someone to go home from hospital sooner by offering them a helping hand with everyday needs such as shopping, meals, cleaning and getting dressed. Please contact the ward they are on if you can help in any way. There is support we can give to make it as easy as possible, including a grant towards equipment or personal care.”
You can find more information about NHS services and when to use them here.