AE is for emergencies only

HEALTH chiefs at Warrington are urging people to try and avoid the A&E department at the town’s hospital as the school half-term approaches.
There is often a surge in demand for treatment during school holidays and as winter approaches it is important to keep A&E for emergencies only, they say.
Complaints such as coughs and colds, stomach upsets, aches, sprains and strains, insect bites and allergies can be treated without the need for a trip to A&E or a GP appointment with some basic tips and medicine cabinet essentials.
NHS 111 and the NHS Choices website provide expert health advice and information at all times throughout the day and night, for advice and support on non-emergencies.
Dr Simon Redfearn, a doctor at Birchwood Medical Centre and Warrington CCG lead for urgent care said “Our local A&E will always be there 24/7 for the people who really need their help.
“The highly skilled A&E staff concentrate their efforts on treating patients with serious and life-threatening conditions or injuries, which can often mean that those presenting with less serious complaints – for example, bumps, sprains and smaller cuts – may have a long wait to be treated.”
NHS Warrington CCG aims to give local people information so that they know where to go in the first instance, to get fast, expert advice when they need it, and how to help themselves if they have a common illness or ailment. This will help ease pressure on A&E and 999 services and help other NHS services manage its resources to those who need them most.
Dr Redfearn said: “Some of the symptoms that accompany many of these common complaints are unpleasant, but will begin to improve by themselves after a few days. We know that people are sometimes confused about how long symptoms for things such as stomach upsets will last, and what they need to look out for.
“We are hoping that by promoting the different sources of useful information, we can encourage more people to self-treat for these conditions.
“Remember, local pharmacies aren’t just for dispensing prescriptions. They are just one option if you need advice or treatment for a minor illness and offer free, expert advice for a range of minor illnesses and ailments.”
Dr Redfearn added that if people need medical help quickly but their situation is not a 999 emergency, they should call the free NHS 111 advice line, where staff are able to refer people to the most appropriate service.