Think before visiting the Emergency Department

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is urging people to only visit the Emergency Departments at York and Scarborough in an emergency situation.

Mike Proctor, Deputy Chief Executive, said: "This time of year is a busy time for emergency departments all over the country and this week has seen high levels of attendances and ambulance arrivals at our hospitals. Our emergency department is there for people in very serious or life threatening situations, but it can be put under additional pressure in winter by people who should be seeking help elsewhere.

"We would encourage people to think about whether they need to visit A&E. Patients can really help us by taking the appropriate action to treat their condition, which might mean contacting their GP or attending pharmacies and walk-in centres. Better use of all the available services will help to ensure that only patients with a real emergency come to hospital, giving us more time to dedicate to those patients who really need us."

15 December 2014