Covid-19 causes A&E attendance fall at Walsall Manor Hospital
Extremely sick people in Walsall might not be going to hospital for fear of catching coronavirus – after figures showed a huge drop in attendance at A&E.
Walsall Manor Hospital’s A&E department has seen a near-20 per cent drop in attendances during the Covid-19 lockdown, raising concerns some might not be getting the treatment they need.
Now Walsall NHS Healthcare Trust bosses and Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes are urging people to get the right medical help and attend A&E if they need to.
Figures show that in March 2020, there were 5,675 ‘type 1 attenders’ to the Manor’s emergency department. This is compared with 7,046 in the same period last year, representing a decrease of 19.46 per cent.
General advice for people with coronavirus symptoms of a new continuous cough or a temperature of 37.8 degrees or higher is not to turn up but to consult NHS 111 online or via telephone to get further advice.
Patients who do need to go to the emergency department are being encouraged to do so and assured that Covid-19 patients are nursed in isolation with separate areas created for suspected cases.
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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.
“Please spread the word that Walsall Healthcare is open for business and our business is your health.
“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.”
Mr Hughes said he has also spoken to Mr Beeken about the reduction in A&E attendances.
He added: “If you are acutely unwell then please go to the hospital.
“People might be staying away because they are worried about being a burden on the NHS, or because they are worried about catching Covid-19.
“This may cause acute problems to get even worse, so he’s asked that people don’t stay away if they have serious medical issues.”
