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Derriford Hospital saw an increase in patients attending the emergency room last week, with some people reporting waiting seven hours.
Last week, the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust urged people to “keep the emergency department for emergencies” after the emergency room became “very busy”.
People are now being asked to “choose well”. It comes when a patient told PlymouthLive he waited in the ER for seven hours on Tuesday after a 111 doctor told him to go to the ER.
They said they witnessed a number of people walking away after attending the department as a walk-in.
Two of these people are said to have been heard to have “toothache” and another to “ask to see a doctor”.
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At 6pm on November 27, the Plymouth Hospitals website said there were 71 patients in the emergency room, with 31 of those waiting to be seen.
The longest wait was 3.1 hours.
On Tuesday, November 24, the waiting time was approximately 6.6 hours.
The NHS website states that you should only go to the emergency room if you have “a serious and life-threatening condition,” which can include choking, chest pain, severe bleeding, or loss of consciousness.
The options available to help you ‘choose well’
The University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust website states: “Please help maintain the emergency department for emergencies and think first of the pharmacist, GP or 111.
“If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (high fever, continuous new cough, or loss or change in smell or taste), do not leave the house and call 111 if you need advice or 119 if you need a test. “
If you have a health condition that requires attention, there are many different options to choose from:
111 – If it’s urgent but not an emergency, or you’re not sure where to go, call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk online for expert advice and directions to other services.
HANDi app – The HANDi app provides up-to-date advice on common childhood diseases and how to treat them. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play.
Pharmacist – They can help with minor ailments like colds, tummy upsets, and general aches and pains. They can also tell you if anything needs to be examined by a doctor.
GP – If you have a condition that doesn’t go away on its own or that needs a doctor to examine it because it worries you, see your GP. If you don’t have a family doctor, contact 111.
Minor Injury Units (MIU) and Urgent Treatment Centers (UTC) – use an MIU or UTC for minor burns, sunburns, infected wounds, sprains, cuts, grazes, and possible broken bones.
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