Long waits at Calderdale and Huddersfield A&E
Thursday, 4 January 2018
The Accident and Emergency departments at Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal infirmary are extremely busy at the moment, and clinicians are urging those without serious, emergency conditions to speak to their GP, a pharmacist or stay home and treat themselves with self-care medication available in many shops and supermarkets.
Dr Mark Davies, Clinical lead for Emergency Care and Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, said, “There are currently long waits in both our emergency departments.
“The numbers of people presenting with non-emergencies is contributing to the situation. We would ask them to consider other alternatives than coming into A&E.
“Emergencies will always receive priority in our departments and we would ask everyone else to bear with us and expect to wait.”
People attending with long-standing ailments which aren’t medical emergencies, are a factor in the delays.
A&E departments are for life-threatening emergencies, such as:
- loss of consciousness
- acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- persistent, severe chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
Norovirus
Many people are also visiting A&E at Calderdale Royal hospital with the norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, which is affecting waiting times.
Dr Alan Brook, Chair of NHS Calderdale CCG said “The norovirus is passed to others very easily, so If you have diarrhoea or are vomiting or feeling nauseous, please avoid going to busy places, such as work, school or hospital for at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist first
“It’s very important that you should also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.
“Visiting your pharmacy about common health problems frees up time for GPs and A&E departments, which are already stretched, especially during the winter months. If you’re feeling unwell in any way, please speak to a pharmacist or a GP in the first instance for health advice, or call NHS 111 for more serious health concerns.”