A&E warning after hospital sees surge in patients

Hull Royal Infirmary Emergency Department is experiencing five hour waits

People are being warned to stay away from a hospital's Emergency Department (ED) unless it is a "genuine medical emergency".

Hull Royal Infirmary has seen a "surge of walking wounded and people with seasonal illnesses and viruses," hospital bosses said.

NHS Humber Health Partnership has appealed to the public to use alternative services such as their GPs, local pharmacists, NHS111 or Urgent Treatment Centres.

Dr Kate Wood said: "We are seeing lots of people coming into our ED who may need medical attention, but can be seen by their GP or pharmacist.

"We've even had people calling 999 for an ambulance even though they know it's not a medical emergency because they think it might get them seen more quickly.

"But it won't. Instead, all they're doing is diverting services away from the sickest people who really need urgent medical attention."

The partnership said the ED is there to provide emergency medical attention for serious or life-threatening illnesses or injuries including heavy bleeding, unconsciousness, cardiac arrest, strokes, seizures or choking.

Nurse Director Wendy Page urged people to use the NHS111 to get advice about whether they should attend hospital.

"At the moment, people are waiting for at least five hours but it can be much, much longer if you're not an emergency case," she said.

"Even people who do need hospital care are having to wait longer than we'd like for a bed at the moment so we'd encourage those who are able to use other services go there so we can help those who need us most."

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