Pressure growing on A&E department as people with COVID-19 turn up at Calderdale Royal Hospital

The Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) at Calderdale Royal Hospital is extremely busy at the moment due to the increasing pressure of covid-19 according the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.

In recent weeks there has been a rise in the number of people visiting A&E with very minor injuries that could have be treated more quickly by other health and care services.

This puts serious pressure on NHS staff and services, and has a harmful effect on the care of very ill people being looked after in the hospital says the trust.

Helen Barker - Chief Operating Officer - Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust said: “Our local A&E is here for the treatment of serious and life threatening injuries and conditions only.

“These can include persistent and severe chest pains, burns, loss of consciousness and the symptoms of stroke, and severe bleeding that can’t be stopped.

“If it’s not an emergency you should call 111. NHS 111 will make sure you get the right urgent treatment from the most suitable service, which could be an appointment with a local out-of-hours GP, if required.

“You can also seek help and advice from a number of other places such as; your GP, your local pharmacist and your dentist, but please use common sense and ask if you need to go to A&E.”

There have also been instances where people who are Covid-19 positive turning up at A&E. This is extremely dangerous for both patients and NHS staff.

Deborah Harkins, Calderdale Council’s Director of Public Health said: “Coronavirus cases are on the rise in our communities, and it’s really important to limit contact with others whenever possible and follow government guidelines.

“By going to hospital when you don’t need to be there, you risk taking coronavirus with you, and possible exposing seriously ill and vulnerable people, and our doctors and nurses, to coronavirus unnecessarily.

“There are already people seriously ill with coronavirus in hospital; we don’t need any more.”