With one in 15 Scots now infected with COVID-19, senior clinicians have warned the public to stay away from accident and emergency departments unless their condition is very urgent or life-threatening, with staff reporting A&Es and hospital sites as being busier than ever.
Hospitals across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) today reported 457 in-patients who reported positive for COVID in the last 28 days, up from 277 on 21 June. Hospital occupancy is currently at 90.6%, which, added to COVID impacts on staff, presents significant pressures on EDs and front door services.
As a result, the public is being urged to access unscheduled and emergency care through NHS inform, NHS24 and their GPs and pharmacists as patients face lengthy queues at A&Es across NHSGGC.
Dr Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services for NHSGGC highlighted the significant pressure facing frontline teams as they battle to look after patients in the most urgent need of care.
Dr Davidson said: “Our staff are working around the clock to make sure we continue to see the sickest patients coming to our A&Es but we’re over capacity. Services, quite frankly, are busier than ever, creating a bottleneck at the front door, and as a result, patients unfortunately are having to wait long periods of time to be treated.”
The clinician pointed patients to other pathways available to get treatment faster and to help support frontline teams by spreading demand.
“Unless it’s life-threatening or very urgent, do not come to A&E where you will likely wait many hours for treatment. Use your pharmacy, phone your GP or call 111 to access NHSGGC’s virtual A&E. You might still face a wait to use these services, but for most people, you’ll be seen much faster than if you come to A&E.”
Current pressures can be attributed in part to COVID-19, with more, sicker patients presenting at A&E as a result of holding off during the height of previous pandemic waves, coupled with high current staff absence due to the most recent spike in COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 safety behaviours have become part of our everyday life for the past two years and we can all continue to help each other by following guidance around slowing the spread of the virus.
Remember ‘Covid Sense’ is protecting yourself and others by:
- Wearing a face covering in indoor public places and on public transport
- Cleaning hands and surfaces regularly
- Opening windows when meeting indoors
- Socialising outdoors when possible
- Staying at home if unwell or have a fever
- Wearing a face covering in healthcare settings and not visiting loved ones if unwell
Dr Davidson added: “We’re in summer and our A&Es are comparable, if not busier than we’d normally expect during the winter months. The pressures run throughout the service, with beds unavailable for ongoing treatment within our hospitals as we manage many challenges.”
The senior clinician thanked staff across the service for their efforts in tackling the most recent challenges: “I am truly humbled by the ongoing efforts of our staff – they’re working incredibly hard in the face of these challenges. From care provided in the community – HCSPs, GPs, and pharmacists – through to all the staff across hospital and acute sites – everyone is having to manage different and new demands.
The doctor concluded by reminding patients how to help support the health service and how to get the right care. He said: “It’s absolutely crucial for the public to help us now by really considering how they access urgent care. Do you need to come to A&E or could you be better served elsewhere?”
Any patient unsure of who to turn to has a range of options available to them:
1. Visit the NHS Inform website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/
2. Call NHS24 on 111
3. Visit the NHSGGC website: https://www.nhsggc.scot/your-health/right-care-right-place/
For very urgent or life-threatening emergencies, the public should continue calling 999 or attending A&E.