Health bosses are urging people who need treatment at York Hospital’s emergency department to go alone to reduce overcrowding.
Hundreds of people are accessing A&E every day at the moment.
“The emergency departments at York and Scarborough hospitals are under extreme pressure,” says a message on the trust website.
“Our emergency departments are busy all year round but are exceptionally busy at the moment with a high volume of poorly patients attending,” said Dr Ed Smith, deputy medical director at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
“This means that the departments can often be overcrowded, with limited places to sit while waiting to be seen.
“While we understand it’s appropriate for a friend or family member to accompany with a child or as a carer for example, if patients can attend alone, this will help free up much needed space for other patients.”
He said people were often experiencing a long wait for treatment.
“We are currently seeing more than 450 people a day arriving in the departments and our staff are working exceptionally hard to provide the best care in challenging circumstances.
“With such high demand for services, we know that some patients are waiting a long time to be seen.
“While this can feel frustrating, we ask for patience and understanding, and to give staff the respect and kindness they deserve.”
They asked people to help them by using alternatives such as NHS 111 if they are unsure as to whether to go to the emergency department.
Patients are also asked to consider using alternatives such as an urgent treatment centre. See below for the ones in our area.
| Location | Service | Opening Times | Telephone Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| York Hospital Wigginton Road York YO31 8HE | Urgent Care Centre | Open 24 hours, seven days a week, r eception staff will direct people either to the Urgent Care Centre or Emergency Department. | 111 |
| Malton Hospital Middlecave Road Malton YO17 7NG | Urgent Treatment Centre | The urgent care service can be accessed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by making a sameday appointment through calling ‘111’. Accessing the service through ‘111’, rather than just turning up at the urgent care centre, will reduce the time you have to wait at the centre to be seen. For patients who choose not to book an appointment through ‘111’, the urgent care centre in Malton is open from 8am-8pm, seven days a week. Please note, the time of the last consultation is 7.30pm to allow for assessment and treatment to conclude. | 111 |
| Bridlington Urgent Treatment Centre Entrance A Bridlington Hospital YO16 4OP | Urgent Treatment Centre (https://www.chcpcic.org.uk/chcp-services/bridlington-urgent-treatment-centre) | Run by City Health Care Partnership, t he centre is open seven days a week 7am to 8pm. Visit their website for details about the Bridlington Urgent Treatment Centre (https://www.chcpcic.org.uk/chcp-services/bridlington-urgent-treatment-centre) . | 111 |
| Selby Hospital Doncaster Road Selby YO8 9BX | Minor Injuries Unit | A nurse-led minor injuries service. Please note, the time of the last consultation is 7.30pm to allow for assessment and treatment to conclude. | (01904) 724305 |
| Scarborough Hospital Woodlands Road Scarborough YO12 6QL | Urgent Treatment Centre | The urgent care service can be accessed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by making a sameday appointment through calling ‘111’. Accessing the service through ‘111’, rather than just turning up at the urgent care centre, will reduce the time you have to wait at the centre to be seen. For patients who choose not to book an appointment through ‘111’, the urgent care centre in Scarborough is located in the Emergency Department and is open 24 hours per day, seven days a week. | 111 |