Published on: 15 October 2019
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is appealing for the public’s help as it continues to deal with pressure on its emergency departments.
People are being urged to choose the right service for their needs and only come to South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital if they have a serious or life-threatening illness or injury.
Dr Sean Fenwick, Director of Operations for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We now face relentless pressure on our emergency departments all year round and are seeing increasing numbers of very ill patients. Unfortunately, there is still a large number of people attending who should be using other services as they do not require urgent treatment.
“We are appealing to our local residents to play their part in helping us to give those most in need the care and treatment they require as quickly as possible by not automatically turning up at our emergency departments. We’re asking them to please think first and use their NHS wisely by choosing the right service for their needs. We are always extremely grateful for their support.”
Self-care and visiting a pharmacist are options in the first instance for ailments such as coughs and colds, upset stomachs and general aches and pains. If you really need to see a GP then they are providing more convenient appointment times for patients outside the standard working day by offering extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends. For details of opening times for local GPs and pharmacists, go to http://urgentoremergency.co.uk/ If in doubt, the free NHS 111 number is available 24/7 for expert medical advice.
Use your NHS wisely, prevent illnesses getting worse and get well sooner
- If you have an urgent health need but are not sure if you need A&E, call NHS 111. You’ll speak to highly trained advisors, supported by healthcare professionals, who will assess your symptoms and direct you to the best care.
- Don’t wait until you get worse. Your local pharmacist can provide expert, confidential advice and treatment for minor illnesses, such as sore throats, coughs, colds, upset stomach and aches and pains.
- Antibiotics don’t work for viruses – they can only treat bacterial infections. Illnesses like diarrhoea, vomiting, sore throats and colds are usually caused by a virus and you should normally feel better over a few days to a week. Symptoms can be treated at home with over-the-counter medicines.
- The ‘NHS child health’ app was developed by doctors, health visitors and pharmacists to help parents know what to do when their child is ill. You can download it from Google Play or Apple’s App Store.
- If it is life-threatening or an emergency, call 999.
