'Don't stop going to A&E' urge medical chiefs as fears rise over non-coronavirus conditions
Don't stop going to A&E – this is the urgent message from medical bosses as it's revealed people are "anxious" to go to hospital for fear of catching coronavirus.
The message from trust chiefs across the Black Country and Staffordshire comes after bosses at Russell's Hall Hospital in Dudley revealed they had seen a 45 per cent drop in attendance since the beginning of March.
Figures also revealed Walsall Manor's Hospital A&E department had seen a near-20 per cent drop in attendances during the Covid-19 lockdown.
It has raised concerns some people might not be getting the treatment they need for coronavirus and other health conditions.
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NHS figures showed that in March this year there were nearly 2,000 fewer people who attended Walsall's A&E compared to the same period last year, a decrease of 19.46 per cent.
Staff running County Hospital in Stafford also said they had noticed a drop in people attending for emergency care.
Diane Wake, chief executive at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have seen a drop in attendance at our emergency department of 45 per cent since the beginning of March.
"It is really important that people continue to seek our help when they need to, and are not put off from coming to hospital. We remain fully open for those who need us in an emergency and have measures in place to keep them safe.
"Please do not avoid coming if you genuinely need us – not seeking help could put your health, and indeed your life, at risk."
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust chief executive Richard Beeken said: “It is evident that all over the country and Walsall is no exception, people are not accessing urgent hospital care when they need it.
"We have seen a big drop off in attendances. If you are genuinely ill and need our help come and see us. We can and will help."
His message has been echoed at neighbouring trusts.
Dr David Carruthers, trust medical director at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, urged patients to have confidence that services are open and safe.
He said: "We are really concerned that patients are declining to come when advised to travel to hospitals by ambulance crews, or not contacting their GP for expert help, or maybe avoiding A&E departments. We are here and able to help.
"Covid-19 is important, but other conditions continue and we are worried that people are ‘not troubling us’ and placing themselves and their loved ones at risk."
Clinical lead for emergency medicine at University Hospitals North Midlands, which runs Stafford County and Stoke Royal, Anne-Marie Morris said: “Our local communities have been great in following national guidance and it is important that people continue to stay at home as much as possible to slow the spread of the virus, reduce pressure on the NHS, and enable the services to tackle COVID-19 by treating those who are most seriously ill.
“However, we have seen a significant drop off in attendances, perhaps because people are either worried about putting pressure on our services or because they are worried about catching Covid-19 and I would urge people to continue to seek treatment for serious medical conditions. If you are genuinely ill and need our help come and see us.”
David Loughton, chief executive of Royal Wolverhampton Trust, added: “We understand that people will be anxious about coming to hospital during this period.
"However, we want to remind you we are still here for serious illnesses and injuries and if you think you are experiencing the symptoms of these then you must dial 999 or attend the emergency department.
"All possible safety precautions have been put in place to protect our patients and staff from the virus. “
