Devon NHS in call to ease 999 pressures

Visitors may face reduced visitor hours at hospitals

Severe pressures on health services in Devon have prompted a call to use 999 and accident and emergency services only for life-threatening cases.

Winter pressures, staff sickness and industrial action have caused major disruption and forced some hospitals to take further measures, said NHS Devon.

These include reduced visiting hours and re-directing people from emergency departments to other suitable services, if possible.

Dr Nigel Acheson, chief medical officer for NHS Devon, advised people to check their local hospital’s website and social media for updates.

"It’s vital that those who need medical help come forward as they usually would, using 999 and A&E in life threatening emergencies and 111 online for everything else alongside their GP practices and pharmacies," he said.

Devon’s acute hospitals in Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay and Barnstaple are also seeing increased cases of norovirus, a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

Dr Acheson said that visitors should stay away if they were sick, as it could make it harder for staff to care for those in need.

Strikes by junior doctors were also taking place amidst one of the most difficult starts to the year for health services in Devon, he said.