Trust chief: Shropshire's A&E should be for serious cases only
People are being urged to "think carefully" before visiting the county's A&E units due to an increase in demand over the past few days.
The higher attendance at the A&E departments at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford's Princess Royal Hospital is increasing pressure on the service, according to health chiefs. They have urged people only to attend A&E for life-threatening conditions and emergency situations.
It comes after Simon Wright, the new chief executive of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, called for an urgent winter action plan to be drawn up to avoid a repeat of last year's A&E crisis.
Last winter demand on A&E departments led to a dramatic increase in the number of cancelled operations at both sites. Health chiefs said at the time that 'bed blocking' was having a major knock-on effect and needed to be tackled as a matter of urgency. Debbie Kadum, chief operating officer at SaTH, said: "We have seen an increase in the number of people attending our A&E departments.
"A&E departments are for life-threatening and emergency conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, breathing problems and serious accidents. We need to make sure that A&E services are free to help the people who really need them.
"We know that many people who have been to our A&E departments could have used an alternative local service, which would have avoided what can be a stressful visit to hospital. Pharmacies can offer advice on common problems such as coughs, colds, aches and pains and can also help you decide whether you need to see a doctor.
"Minor injuries units in Bridgnorth, Whitchurch, Ludlow, Oswestry, Welshpool and Newtown may treat you quicker than A&E for minor injuries.
Please also remember that NHS 111 provides medical help fast when it's not a 999 emergency."
