Health leaders have today (Wednesday) issued a fresh appeal to communities as figures reveal more than 8,500 people attended an Emergency Department (ED) in Hampshire and Isle of Wight in the last week alone.

On just one day more than 1,460 people attended a local ED – one every single minute.

Health and care teams across Hampshire and Isle of Wight continue to experience significant pressure, with continued high rates of Covid-19 and staff sickness across all of our services. But despite ongoing challenges, hardworking teams continue to do all they can to ensure patients receive safe, high-quality care.

With Easter approaching and temperatures set to rise, local people are urged to make the right choice to help ensure they receive the care they need in a timely way and that our EDs are kept for emergencies only.

READ MORE: Hampshire Hospitals to discharge Covid-infected patients home after care given - even if they are still testing positive

Dr Derek Sandeman, Chief Medical Officer of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System (ICS), said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to our communities - we are incredible grateful for their continued support. We can see that more people are choosing to access a wider range of services rather than coming to the Emergency Department when they can, which has had a positive impact in recent days. 

“However with continued high rates of staff sickness, Covid-19 and the forecast rise in temperatures over the Easter weekend, we face an uphill battle as we prepare for further increases in pressure and the number of people needing treatment. We are continuing to ask for people’s support in how they access care locally and appeal to everyone to do their bit.  

“Our Emergency Departments are for people experiencing serious, life-threatening injuries or illnesses. If you need urgent care but it is not an emergency please contact 111 to be directed to the right service for your needs.

“Help our dedicated health and care teams keep our EDs free for those who need them most.”

People are reminded that patients will continue to be discharged from hospital when they have received all of the acute care they need – even if they continue to test positive for Covid-19.

Relatives and carers are asked to ensure their loved one can be discharged quickly to help free up beds for those who need them, and to support loved ones with their ongoing care needs in the short term once they have been discharged from hospital.

Relatives and carers are also asked to:

  • stay in contact with the ward the patient is on so everyone is prepared for the expected date of discharge
  • support arrangements to provide suitable clothing and shoes for the person being discharged
  • help with transporting patients home when they are ready to leave hospital to help them get home more quickly

More information on which service to use and when is available here. This includes mental health care and dentistry as well as urgent treatment centres.

If you need urgent care but it is not a life-threatening emergency, call 111 or visit 111 online and you will be directed to the right service for your needs.

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