UNIVERSITY Hospital’s A&E department is still under pressure as A&E attendance continues to rise.
All outpatient clinics and planned operations – excluding emergency, cancer and paediatric operations – were cancelled on Wednesday, January 27 after an ‘exceptionally busy two days’ saw ‘dozens’ of people waiting for more than four hours to be treated.
Hospital bosses at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) sanctioned the cancellations in a bid to clear the ‘unprecedented’ backlog and reopen services after more than 500 people attended A&E on Tuesday, January 26.
But numbers are continuing to rise – with more than 600 people attending A&E on Monday (February 1).
Residents have been urged to continue to stay away from A&E unless it is an emergency – instead accessing GPs, pharmacists or walk-in centres as alternatives.
A UHCW NHS Trust spokesperson said: “Last week we faced exceptional pressures and we are currently managing similar pressure this week.
“Patient attendances are continuing to rise with over 600 people attending A&E on Monday (February 1).
“Given how busy we still are, we would urge patients that if their condition is not life threatening then to consider using their GP, pharmacist, walk in centre or NHS 111 for medical advice before coming to A&E.”
Outpatient clinics reopened on Thursday afternoon (January 28), and staff continue to contact patients to reschedule any cancelled routine operations.
If people are not sure where to go, call NHS 111 where a trained operator will assess and direct you to the best-suited service.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Patients can also search on www.nhs.uk if they are unsure of what services are in their local area.
