It comes as other hospitals in the Midlands have declared a ‘critical incident’
The University Hospital Coventry has issued the plea around its Accident and Emergency department (Image: CoventryLive)
Coventry’s hospital has issued an urgent warning over its A&E as demand continues to grow. The University Hospital has revealed that its Emergency Department is ‘extremely busy’.
Due to the increasing demand and the pressure it puts on staff, the hospital has issued a social media message which includes an image which urges people to ‘stop’ before they attend A&E, asking if they have sought other alternatives.
It adds that its A&E is for ‘life-threatening’ emergencies. The post reads “Please support us by choosing the right service for your healthcare needs. If your condition is urgent, but not life-threatening, you may be able to get an appointment and the right support quicker by using an alternative service.”
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The post continues: “Remember, our Emergency Department is for life-threatening emergencies such as loss of consciousness, a persistent state of confusion, severe chest pains, reoccurring fits, breathing difficulties and severe bleeding that can’t be stopped.”
The warning comes as another hospital in the Midlands has declared a ‘critical incident’ The NHS trust that runs the City Hospital in Nottingham and Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) has admitted it is ‘experiencing pressures like never before’.
A ‘critical incident’ is when where demand overwhelms capacity and put patient care at risk. As a result, the trust is rearranging non-urgent medical procedures – such as surgery – to create space for the sickest patients. Staff are also being redeployed to help ease the pressures being felt at the hospitals.
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