Reading doctors urge people to avoid A&E unless absolutely necessary
Patients are being urged to use a number of other health services before going to A&E
Patients attending A&E at Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) are being urged to stay away unless they have a genuine emergency.
The RBH NHS Foundation Trust has issued advice to people planning on visiting the emergency department at the hospital in Craven Road, Reading, as demand increased following Christmas and New Year.
Doctors suggest that most very minor illnesses and injuries can be treated with self-care, plenty of rest and a well-stocked medicine cabinet. They also advise calling NHS 111 as the first port of call for medical advice.
A pharmacist can also offer medical advice and GP surgeries offer over-the-phone and emergency appointments if professionals feel you need to see someone.
For injuries such as deep cuts, sprains and strains, broken bones (fractures), bites and stings, minor eye infections, scratches or something lodged in an eye, patients are being asked to attend a Walk In Centre or Minor Injuries Unit.
Mary Sherry, chief operating officer, said: "Our A&E continues to be under significant pressure with a very high number of sick patients.
"We are therefore asking our local community to consider other NHS services first as the emergency department must give priority to patients with very serious and life-threatening conditions, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attack or stroke, severe breathing difficulties or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. Of course, if you fall into these categories, please come to A&E immediately so we can care for you.
"We are currently working through the NHS advice, are actively assessing the number of planned outpatient appointments and operations we can carry out over this period, and how many we may need to cancel.
"We will communicate with patients as soon as possible if their planned operation or outpatient appointment needs to be cancelled.
"However, unless we contact you, patients with planned operations and appointments should attend as normal."
Services are available from a number of locations:
Reading Walk In Centre, Broad Street Mall, Reading town centre, Berkshire, (managed by Virgin Care). Open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week including weekends and bank holidays .
Bracknell Healthspace Urgent Care Centre, Eastern Gate, Brants Bridge, Bracknell, Berkshire, (managed by Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust). Open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week including weekends and bank holidays.
West Berkshire Community Hospital Minor Injuries Unit, London Road, Benham Hill, Thatcham, Berkshire. Open from 8am to 10pm.
St Marks Hospital urgent care centre, St Marks Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, (managed by London North West Healthcare NHS Trust). Open 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday amd 9am to 1pm at the weekend.
Townlands Memorial Hospital Minor Injuries Unit, York Road, Henley, Oxfordshire, (managed by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust). Open from 9am to 8pm.
Wallingford Community Hospital Walk In Centre, Reading Road, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, (managed by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust). Open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6.30pm. Closed at weekends.
