Leeds doctors in plea to patients as record numbers attend city hospitals' accident and emergency departments

Doctors in Leeds are urging people to think carefully before going to an accident and emergency department if they feel unwell or have a minor injury as city hospitals deal with record numbers of patients.
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The emergency departments at both Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital are currently extremely busy with an increase of almost 20 per cent in the number of patients - an additional 80 patients every day.

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LGI and St James' Hospital issue urgent update on 'very busy' A&E capacity

There are also 125 patients with Covid-19 in hospital in Leeds which is the equivalent to five full wards.

Leeds General InfirmaryLeeds General Infirmary
Leeds General Infirmary
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This increased demand is also mirrored across other vital health and care providers in Leeds, including GP surgeries, NHS Walk In Centres and Urgent Treatment Centres.

Dr Sarah Davey, clinical director for urgent care in Leeds, said: "Over the last few months, the number of patients seeking treatment at our emergency departments has increased considerably.

"The most urgent and life-threatening cases take priority, which means that unfortunately people coming in with less urgent issues are experiencing longer waiting times and could be treated elsewhere.

“We’re asking everyone to think carefully before coming to our emergency departments and to check with NHS 111 before attending, as they’ll be able to advise where you need to go to get the right care.

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"NHS 111 can direct you to the right service and help you make an appointment.

"These include urgent treatment centres or minor injuries units, where you can be diagnosed and treated for things like cuts, sprains, simple broken bones, infections and fevers, minor burns and other minor injuries. This will help free up capacity for those who really need emergency care.

“We’re urging the public to remember that hospital emergency departments are for life or limb emergencies, such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, significant head injuries or complex fractures.”

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Dr Sarah Forbes, GP and Associate Medical Director for NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “As well as 111, you can check any symptoms and find out what to do and when to get help using the NHS website – nhs.uk. Downloading the NHS App also enables you to get health advice, book or change appointments, order repeat prescriptions, find your NHS number or get the latest advice about coronavirus and get your COVID vaccination pass.

“If you’ve already tried these other options, or they are not suitable, and you need medical help, GP practices are still here for you. As well as helping deliver the largest ever flu and COVID vaccination programmes, practices have continued to provide routine and urgent medical care for patients, doing so in a safe way, whilst protecting staff and patients from the virus.

“For all patients needing medical care, practices continue to provide it in the most clinically appropriate way, through a combination of telephone, online and face to face appointments. By doing so, they can ensure even more patients get the care they need. As well as making appointments with doctors and nurses, reception teams can also book you in with physiotherapists, pharmacists, mental health specialists and other healthcare professionals so please help us make sure you see the right person by giving as much information as possible about your condition.”

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“However, please be aware that GP practices are seeing significantly more patients than we were before the pandemic as people are coming to us with more complex and long-standing concerns. This means our phone lines are extremely busy. We understand that this can be frustrating but please be patient.

“Staff across the NHS are working very hard to deal with everyone but please help us to help you by choosing the right service and please be kind.”

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