"Don't put it off" - Leeds health bosses issue warning over concerning drop in A&E and GP surgery numbers

Health bosses in the city are today sending the message that ‘Your NHS is still here for you when you need us’ as they spoke out over concerns that numbers attending A&E and doctor appointments have dropped.
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It comes after recent figures, at national and local level, show considerably fewer people have been going to their local accident and emergency departments in comparison to previous years and there is a drop in the number of people seeking advice about possible cancer symptoms through their GP.

Dr Wayne Hamer, Emergency Medicine Consultant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said the drop is linked to public anxiety about attending emergency departments and a feeling that people don't want to contribute to the current pressures on the NHS.

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But, he added, the NHS was still there for serious illnesses and injuries and systems are in place to minimise risk such as separate a division of the emergency department into low and high risk areas.

Ambulances outside the emergency department at LGI.Ambulances outside the emergency department at LGI.
Ambulances outside the emergency department at LGI.

He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "We understand that people will be anxious. However, we want to remind people we are still here for serious illnesses and injuries and if you think you are experiencing the symptoms of these then you must dial 999 or attend the emergency department.

“When patients attend there may be a few differences to the systems and processes and areas they are treated in. The main ones being that they will need to attend alone as we are not allowing visitors into the hospitals at the moment for infection prevention reasons and our staff will be wearing personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, aprons or gowns to protect themselves and patients from the virus."

Meanwhile Leeds GP, Dr Sarah Forbes said 999 should be the port of call for chest pain, blackouts, severe blood loss that can’t be stopped, a serious injury, or a suspected stroke.

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But she urged people not to "put off" contacting their local surgery for conditions such as ongoing health issues, ear discharge / pain, rashes, and stomach aches and cancer symptoms.

Leeds General Infirmary.Leeds General Infirmary.
Leeds General Infirmary.

She said: "Access to your local GP practice has changed but this doesn’t mean it’s stopping you contacting us for any health concerns. If you have any cancer symptoms such as a lump in your breast, changes in bowel habits, blood in your pee or poo, unexplained weight loss, moles that appear to change or cough that you’ve had for three weeks or more please get in touch with your GP practice as soon as possible."

The plea for patients comes after Leeds GP, Dr Martin Sutcliffe predicted a "tidal wave" of pressure on local surgeries once lockdown is lifted and that some conditions, such as cancer symptoms or diabetes, could have worsened when they were treatable at an earlier stage.

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