A North Tyneside GP is urging people to look at alternative steps to solving non-emergency health issues as pressures mount on hospitals, doctors surgeries and the ambulance service.
Dr Richard Scott, clinical chair of the North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG), who also works as a GP at Marine Avenue Medical Centre in Whitley Bay, says patients should look to see a pharmacist or use a reputable online source of information for very minor ailments.
Health services across the region are currently experiencing very high levels of demand, and people are being asked to show their support by making sure they use the right service for their need. Emergency and other urgent walk-in departments have become especially busy over the past week, with patients being warned they may face long waits.
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Whilst staff are doing everything they can to ensure people are seen as soon as possible, Dr Scott said the public can support this process by not attending A&E for less serious issues.
He said: “Due to the levels of demand, this is a difficult time for everyone and we know there can be delays, but we also know that lots of people are still trying to make GP appointments for very minor ailments.
“To support GP practices people should please consider if a pharmacist can help deal with their health need or give advice in the first instance. They can also use the practice’s online consultation option which can be found on practice websites and NHS 111 online is a comprehensive and trusted source for healthcare advice.
“In primary care, we do need to triage (decide the order of treatment based on urgency) patients so that we can see those most in need and for many patients, things like virtual or telephone appointments will also be more convenient for and appropriate for their needs.”
He added: “We know that waits can be frustrating, and we apologise for any inconvenience, but please respect and be kind to our colleagues working across the NHS and in social care, who are doing what they can to provide the services the public needs.”
The surge in demand has come as the NHS is emerging from the seasonal winter spike in virus-related illnesses and admissions – compounded over the last two years by the Covid pandemic.
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust spokesman, Ben O’Connell, said the exact reason for the upturn was difficult to pinpoint. “There is not always a set pattern or reason. It is just general pressure across the whole system. Since coming out of Covid we have been running pretty busy all the time, but it seems to have picked up further in the last week."
Demand for services from GPs is also currently extremely high with practices working hard to ensure patients can access services in a number of different ways from face-to-face appointments to online and over the phone.
Dr Neil O’Brien, accountable officer for South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), said: “The NHS is here to care for people and people should not delay seeking medical advice and help if they need it, but we ask them to think carefully about which service they access. Our emergency departments need to focus on treating patients with life-threatening conditions.
“We understand it can be hard to navigate the system, but if your condition is not life-threatening, please go online to NHS 111 or contact your local pharmacy for expert advice on self-care.”
