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Use RD&E hospital Emergency Department wisely
The Royal Devon & Exeter hospital is encouraging the public to use their NHS wisely this winter.
Inappropriate attendances at the RD&E Emergency Department create a significant challenge for the hospital. A high number of patients coming to the Wonford hospital site could have received medical assistance in other ways for their non-life threatening symptoms.
- In November 2008 only 1,717 of the 6,847 attendances at the Emergency Department were admitted and 1,360 of them were referred to the Walk In Centre
- In December 2008 1,703 of the 6,498 attendances were admitted to hospital and 1,255 referred to the Walk In Centre
- In January 2009, 1,836 patients were admitted to hospital and 1,182 referred to the Walk In Centre out of 6,534 attendances.
RD&E Emergency Department lead consultant Dr Adrian Harris said: “Our team wants to give prompt quality emergency treatment to patients. This can, on occasions, be compromised by patients attending with conditions that are inappropriate for a hospital emergency department.
“If someone is in discomfort but it is clear that they have a minor condition that is not life-threatening, for example, a sore throat or toothache, we would respectfully say that this is not a hospital emergency. In some instances people have had symptoms for several days and come into the hospital thinking it is the only place they could get medical attention out of hours, which is not the case.”
- NHS Direct provides a 24-hour professional telephone advice service on 0845 4647
- Self-help advice is available on www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
- Pharmacists can advise on treatment for minor conditions
- Fast and convenient access to healthcare advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses is available at the Walk In Centre in Sidwell Street – 01392 276892. Details are available on www.devonpct.nhs.uk
The RD&E expects visitors to assist our infection control regime by following this advice:
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Stay home if you have a cold, infection or stomach upset and only visit if you have had no symptoms for at least 48 hours
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Keep children, especially babies, home because they are vulnerable to germs and infections brought into hospital
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Wash your hands before and after your ward visit using soap and water or hospital hand gel dispensers on wards
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Use the chairs on wards, not beds to sit on
