System pressures across Coventry & Warwickshire | Our News

System pressures across Coventry & Warwickshire

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Our health and care services across Coventry and Warwickshire are exceptionally busy at the moment, with some days this week seeing tremendous peaks in demand for our ambulances and accident and emergency departments.

Teams are working hard to respond to this increased pressure but for those who lives are not in imminent danger, emergency services are asking people to continue to support their local NHS and to contact 111 or speak to their pharmacist or GP for healthcare advice. This will help keep services available for those who urgently need them, and we are hugely grateful for the ongoing support of the public in this.

Dr Sarah Raistrick, local GP and Chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group said: “A mixture of the ongoing Covid-19 pressures and a rise in demand for services has meant that the pressure which the system is under is extremely severe. Staff from health and care services are working together to make sure everyone who needs care is able to get it, but we need the people of Coventry and Warwickshire to continue to support the NHS by making sure that they are accessing the most appropriate service for them and help us to reduce the pressure on our emergency services.”

Professor Kiran Patel, Chief Medical Officer at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW)  said “The emergency departments across Coventry and Warwickshire are at some of the busiest levels we have ever seen them. Worryingly, we are still seeing people attending our emergency department who are not in need of emergency care and that is causing delays for those patients who really need our help. If you need to see a doctor or nurse urgently but it’s not a 999 emergency you can visit one of the urgent treatment centres in the area and receive same day treatment.  If you’re not sure what to do, you can go online to nhs.uk/111 to go through your symptoms and be directed to the most appropriate service.”

Fiona Burton, Head of Nursing at South Warwickshire Foundation Trust said “We know that when you don’t feel well it’s really worrying but there are lots of NHS services which are able to support you. GP practices are open and offering appointments during the day and in the evening. Pharmacists are also able to help with a wide range of issues and can advise on many minor illnesses and ailments. All of the staff across health and social care are here to help you, but you can help us by making sure you are using the right services and keep emergency services for those who have a life threatening need.”

As a result of the high demand in recent weeks following COVID, access to beds in hospital is also very pressured across the system. In order to make sure that patients who need to be admitted to hospital are able to get a bed, all clinical teams are working hard to get all of those people home who are medically well enough, or to a care setting more appropriate to their needs.

Steven Collman, Director of Operations at George Eliot Hospital said “At the moment, it’s more important than ever to make sure that we have beds available for those who need them. Families are able to support us by helping their loved one to return home as soon as they are medically able to do so. This is also the right thing for our patients as we know that, once a patient is no longer in need of acute hospital care, they will recover better and more quickly in a home or residential setting so we really want to help get them there as soon as possible.”

Remember

The NHS is here for you and so if you are concerned about a new lump or mole or have any other health issues then please get in touch with your GP.

If it is not an emergency you can use a range of service, such as:

Pharmacy

Pharmacies can offer over the counter advice and treat common illnesses such as colds, sore throats, stings and allergies.

Visit 111 Online

Once a patients visits 111 online they will be navigated to the most appropriate service, first time by a trained operator. The operator will even be able to book appointments and timeslots at the most appropriate health service for your needs.

Urgent Treatment Centres

An Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) provides care and treatment for illnesses and injuries that are not life or limb-threatening but require urgent attention.

Urgent Treatment Centre (Coventry) – City of Coventry Health Centre, Stoney Stanton Rd, Coventry CV1 4FS

Opening hours 08:00 – 20:00 , 7 days a week

Urgent Treatment Centre (Rugby) – St Cross Hospital, Rugby. CV22 5PX

Opening 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Urgent Treatment Centre (Nuneaton) –George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, College Street, Nuneaton, CV10 7DJ

Opening hours 08:00 – 20:00 , 7 days a week

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