Emergency admissions at Walsall Manor Hospital soar 14pc
Emergency admissions at Walsall Manor Hospital have rocketed by 14 per cent, with A&E at its busiest level in more than five years.
Scores of extra people have attended the department in the last week, stretching hospital resources.
It has prompted hospital bosses to encourage patients to only visit the Manor if necessary and instead use the likes of the Walsall Walk-In Health Centre. Patient numbers to the A&E department rose from 1,788 at the week ending December 30 to 1,839 in the seven days up to January 6.
The number of emergency admissions also increased from 502 to 573 in the same period, figures released by the hospital show.
There has been a surge in residents suffering flu-type symptoms along with diarrhea and vomiting over the last few weeks. Last weekend saw A&E at its busiest in at least the last five years.
Due to the growing numbers of patients, health bosses are warning there could be long delays to be seen by medics.
They are encouraging those with non-life threatening conditions to explore other areas of treatment such as the town's walk-in centre which opens between 8am and 8pm. Pharmacists and NHS Direct are also available.
Sue Hartley, director of nursing at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "We have seen extreme pressure on our services. It has been hugely challenging and very, very busy.
"We are not saying people can't come to A&E. If someone feels their life is being compromised absolutely that is their choice to come. But there are other options that were not available before. A&E is really for people who have significant issues that are compromising their health like a heart attack, traumatic injury, respiratory problems."
Extra staff and beds have been made available to cope with the surge in demand. It also comes as the region has been battling the winter sickness bug norovirus.
