Staffordshire A&Es facing high level of demand
People in Staffordshire are being asked to think twice before attending A&E to help reduce high demand.
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM), which runs both County Hospital in Stafford and Royal Stoke further north in the county, has warned the A&E units at both hospitals are 'experiencing the type of demand usually only seen in the middle of winter'. This means staff are 'exceptionally busy' and patients are left with long waits.
A statement said: "UHNM is appealing for support from the local community to reduce the extreme pressures on A&E services at both County Hospital, Stafford and Royal Stoke University Hospital.
"Currently both sites are experiencing the type of demand usually only see in the middle of winter, so people are experiencing long waits and our staff are exceptionally busy.
"Please only attend Accident & Emergency Departments for anything classed as an emergency including choking, chest pain, loss of consciousness, severe blood loss, broken bones, difficulty breathing, deep wounds or a suspected stroke.
"There are various alternatives NHS services to A&E available in the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire area, which may be able to treat your condition more appropriately."
The trust is advising people to use pharmacies, GPs, walk-in centres and the NHS 111 number as an alternative to attending A&E.
