South Holland residents urged to seek urgent care they need after Midlands NHS report a fall in A&E visits

People in South Holland are being urged to seek the urgent care and treatment they need after visits in the Midlands to A&E in April dropped by almost 60 per cent.

NHS staff have worked hard to put in place measures allowing people to access care safely – such as splitting services into Covid and non-Covid.

But the latest figures show that many people are not seeking treatment due to coronavirus fears.

From April 1 – 22, there were 4,763 A&E visits at hospital trusts covering the Midlands, compared with 11,703 during the same period last year. Emergency admissions have also dropped significantly by over 40 per cent.

We have recently launched a campaign called ‘Help Us Help You’, which is sharing the best way for people in the Midlands to get the help they need for a range of symptoms.

Those with the following symptoms should visit A&E:

l loss of consciousness

l acute confused state and fits that are not stopping

l chest pain

l breathing difficulties

l severe bleeding that cannot be stopped

l severe allergic reactions

l severe burns or scalds

l major trauma such as a road traffic accident

People should call 999 immediately if they or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke. Every second counts with these conditions.

Waiting to get help could have serious consequences for patients and harm their full recovery. Across primary care, community services and the hospitals, the NHS has put in processes to protect patients from catching Covid-19, so patients should feel confident to come. It is vitally important that if people have serious conditions or concerns, they seek help.

So, whether you or loved one have the symptoms or a heart attack or stroke, are a parent worried about their child or have concerns about conditions such as cancer you should seek help in the way you always would.