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| Stop and think – that’s the message from A&E |
| Written by Communications Team |
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Do NOT come to A&E unless you really need to! That’s the message from Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust to the public following a fortnight of intense activity in the Accident Centre. The Trust’s Deputy Chief Nurse, Vanessa Avlonitis said on Tuesday (05-01-10): ”Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust is experiencing unprecedented high levels of activity in Accident & Emergency and this is putting increasing pressure on our services. ”I would like to ask the public to think twice about whether a visit to A&E is really necessary, or if they could use the services of their GP or local Walk-In Centre instead. The A&E department should only be used when people have suffered trauma, had an accident or have developed a serious illness and are unable to receive advice from their local pharmacist, GP or Walk-in Centre. It is really important that people understand the right place to go for advice and treatment, so our accident and emergency department can concentrate on dealing with those who need urgent and often life saving treatment.” The public are urged to seek advice from their pharmacist; GP; Ashford, Woking or Weybridge Walk-In Centres; NHS Direct on: 0845 4647. For further information on how to choose the right service see the NHS Choose Well campaign at: www.meht.nhs.uk/news/choose-well. Stop and think before you visit – could you be passing on winter bugs? At this time of year many hospitals are also under increased pressure due to outbreaks of norovirus, the 24 hour winter vomiting bug. We are also asking the public to take the following precautions to prevent possible spread:
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