NHS Lothian has warned today that its hospital sector is being pushed to its limit as it faces some of the most significant pressures to date.
Calum Campbell, Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, St John’s Hospital in Livingston, the Western General Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People were all stretched to capacity with large numbers of people still waiting to be admitted to a hospital bed.
He urged patients not to attend A&E unless they were experiencing a critical emergency and instead asked them to seek care and advice through the alternatives available.
Mr Campbell said Lothian was facing severe challenges, caused by higher numbers of weather-related trauma patients and a rise in the numbers of people who no longer needed hospital care, but whose discharge had been delayed as they await care packages in the community or a place in a care home.
To help free up vital beds, he said that some relatives may be asked if they can provide care to their loved ones as an interim measure while those packages of care to help in their own homes are put in place by their local Health and Social Care Partnership.
He said: “We are all working together to reduce the extreme pressures that our patients and staff are facing. This is undoubtedly the worst we have experienced so far.
“We need people in Lothian to help their own communities and the NHS. If you are not experiencing a critical emergency, then please use the many other services available to access care. This will help relieve pressure in the A&E department and mean that our clinical teams can help those who urgently need it.”
Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Lothian, said: “If you have a relative in hospital you may be asked if you can help look after your relative temporarily to help free up a hospital bed for someone waiting to be admitted. If your relative is ready to leave hospital but is waiting for a package of care to be put in place to help them at home, you may be asked if you could provide that extra assistance for a very short time.
“Our teams will have carried out a robust clinical assessment before they discuss the temporary possibilities with patients and their families.
“We know that most patients want to return home as soon as they possibly can, especially at this time of year. This would also help our teams and the patients waiting to be admitted.
“Also, if you have a loved one in hospital who has been discharged and requires to be collected, please do so as early in the day as possible.”
NHS Lothian is working through a series of vital measures to increase internal capacity. Staff have already been deployed from across the sector into roles where they are required most.
A campaign to remind people that A&E is only for critical emergencies has also stepped up in Lothian.
Adverts urging people to consider using NHS Inform for advice, visiting their local pharmacist or GP or calling NHS 24 for advice day or night or for an appointment with their Minor Injuries Unit are underway.
They will run on buses, social media, digital audio and in local press as NHS Lothian battles some of the worst challenges and pressures.
If you think you need to visit A&E, but it's not life threatening, or you think you need to visit a Minor Injury Unit, call NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night. NHS 24 will direct you to the right care in the right place.
It is important too to remember that there is self-care information on NHS Inform, and local pharmacies, GPs or dental practices or opticians might be the most appropriate route to treatment and care. If it is an emergency always call 999 or go to your local A&E.
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