The challenges facing NHS services being reported across the country are significantly affecting NHS Lanarkshire.
NHS Lanarkshire is asking every member of the public to consider all suitable alternatives before calling an ambulance or coming directly to the emergency department so that we can continue to provide essential care to those who most need our help.
We are asking you to help us to help you.
NHS Lanarkshire executive nurse director Eddie Docherty is asking the public to only attend the emergency department if they have life-threatening conditions or critical emergencies such as chest pain, breathing difficulties or severe loss of blood.
He said: “Our three acute hospitals have significant pressures within our emergency departments, with high levels of inpatients causing bed shortages and staffing challenges.
“Our staff are doing everything possible to assess, treat and care for patients with priority given to those who are most unwell. This means that there are significantly longer waits at the emergency departments of each of our three hospitals with our inpatient wards being extremely busy.
“We are also seeing an increasing number of respiratory viruses in our hospitals, with high flu and Covid-19 numbers contributing to the current pressures and challenges. In terms of Covid-19 numbers, there was an average of 170 patients in hospital with Covid-19 each day over the last week – around twice the numbers we had at the start of December. We are also experiencing high admission rates with patients suffering from flu.
“The last week has been incredibly difficult as we have been dealing with a high level of very unwell patients who need our care. This current demand means that waiting times at our front door are more challenging than ever.
“Once these patients are assessed and for those who require to be admitted to hospital, there are additional pressures being faced due to bed capacity and the lower discharges and flow out of our hospitals means potential delays. We would also ask that where possible families and friends support patients to return home as soon as they are medically well enough to be discharged. Please helps us to help you.”
Judith Park, acute director of NHS Lanarkshire, commented:
“We recognise that similar challenges are faced across every part of our healthcare and social care system. This is the most unprecedented and most challenged system we have seen in the entire lifetime of the NHS.
“To help us alleviate these pressures, we are asking the public to only attend ED if they have life-threatening conditions or critical emergencies. We continue to prioritise those patients who require urgent care.
“However, we also understand that when someone has an illness or minor injury they want help as soon as possible and although the emergency department is open 24 hours seven days a week there are alternatives if someone’s condition is not critical or life-threatening.
“If you think you need to attend A&E but it’s not life-threatening, or you think you need to visit a minor injuries unit, call NHS 24 on 111 day or night, where you will be directed to the right NHS service. If you just need health care advice, then please use the NHS Inform website.
“If people can wait they can also access their local GP or pharmacy or other community service when they open. A number of GP practices have been open additional days including Saturdays throughout January.
“If someone does have to come to one of our emergency departments, they need to be prepared to face extremely long waits to be seen as we will prioritise those patients who are most unwell. This can lead to patients getting frustrated with our staff but we ask that people be patient and be kind and considerate to our staff. We are working extremely hard in very difficult circumstances to do the very best we can for each and every one of our patients.
“We know that this is an especially tough winter for many people and are hugely grateful for the continuing support of our local communities.
“The safety of our patients and all staff is our top priority and we are taking all necessary action to ensure safe and effective patient care at this time.
“We understand how difficult the current circumstances are for our staff and we are hugely appreciative of the immense efforts being made right across our health and care services.
“Staff have gone above and beyond during yet another challenging year and we would like to offer our thanks and gratitude and pay tribute to their professionalism, hard work and commitment.
“We are also very grateful to all our partners including the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS 24 as well as our Out of Hours service and our GPs who have extended opening hours which have all helped to support us.
“It has been truly inspirational to see the dedication, courage and commitment shown to our patients, as well as the compassion and support clearly demonstrated for one another.”
Note to editors
Please find a link to executive nurse director Eddie Docherty’s video on the current pressures here. We aren’t able to put anyone forward for interview.
