A top Merseyside doctor has pleaded with patients not to attend A&E with minor conditions, as it is increasingly wasting doctor’s valuable time.
Dr Denise Langhor, an emergency department consultant at Arrowe Park Hospital in Upton, said that the hospital’s emergency department had reaching breaking point, due to large numbers of patients attending with minor problems.
Given the significant rise in patient numbers to Arrowe Park, Dr Langhor has pleaded with those suffered from coughs/colds and stomach bugs to seek alternative medical care.
“The emergency department is often the first place people think of when they are unwell, but unless you’ve had a serious accident or your illness or injury is life-threatening, coming to A&E could result in a longer wait.”
She added that in order to receive the correct treatment, patients should think carefully about which care they need.
“We want local residents to benefit from the best possible emergency treatment and are reminding people to help us with this by making the right choice of where to go when they are unwell.”