Emergency departments (A&E) at all hospitals in Buckinghamshire, are undersignificant pressure and patients are facing very long waits.
Rachael Corser, chief nursing officer at the BOBIntegrated Care Board said: "The period immediately after Christmas andbefore the New Year is traditionally the busiest in the calendar with servicesbeing really busy. We want to keep as many front-line clinicians available totreat people who are ill and need help urgently. So please help us by ensuringyou do whatever you can to reduce the pressure on our services.
“Our focus is on making sure patients are safe and thatcritical services keep running. All partners in the NHS, social care and ourvoluntary organisations are working together so people who need to come intohospital can be admitted safely, and people who are medically fit to leave canbe discharged safely."
The public can also help the NHS in the following ways:
- Only call 999 in the event of a serious or life-threatening emergency
- Visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you need urgent medical help and are not sure what to do
- Be ready to collect your family or loved ones from hospital as soon as they are medically well enough to leave. Hospital is not the best place to be once someone is ready for discharge.
- Do not come to the Emergency Department with minor injuries, as you will be signposted elsewhere.
- Use your local pharmacy if you can - they can help with a range of minor health issues including colds, skin problems and earaches.
Rachael added: "Planned procedures and outpatients’appointments at hospitals are currently still going ahead, but are underconstant review. If you have an appointment, please attend as planned unlessthe hospital contacts you directly.
"We are monitoring this situation very closelyand as always we remain committed to providing the best possible care forpatients. Thank you for your support and understanding at this challengingtime."
Please see here for a short video about using NHS 111 online and pharmacyservices to #helpushelpyou
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