STAY away from Accident and Emergency unless you have a serious or life-threatening condition.
That is the message from health bosses in Worcestershire who say many people are turning up at A&E with minor injuries that are treatable elsewhere.
For the last week, numbers attending casualty in the county have been higher than expected, forcing an ‘admission avoidance’ plan to be released early.
Routine meetings have also been cancelled to allow staff to spend more time with patients.
“The accident and emergency department at WRH is currently at escalation level four and health and social care teams across the county are working closely together to ensure speedy discharge of patients who no longer require an acute bed,” said a Trust spokesperson.
“Winter admission avoidance schemes which were due to start from next week have been brought forward and routine meetings and training are being cancelled to release additional staff resources.”
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust says injuries such as cuts, sprains, strains and minor burns can be treated at Minor Injury Units such as Evesham Community Hospital in Waterside, Evesham.
Worcestershire’s GP Out of Hours Service can be contacted on 0300 123 3211.
To find out more visit hacw.nhs.uk
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