Hospital issues bank holiday A&E plea

Bosses at a Nottinghamshire hospital are urging the public to use health services "wisely" this bank holiday weekend.

The plea comes after the emergency department at King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield saw high demand over the Easter bank holiday weekend in April, treating almost double the number of patients it was "designed to care for at any one time".

On the busiest day, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said there were 183 people waiting to be seen by a healthcare professional and 34 acutely sick patients waiting to be admitted to a bed.

"We had a really difficult week, one of the busiest weeks of the year," said Phil Bolton, executive chief nurse.

The trust said while demand had become more manageable since, the emergency department was "still busy".

Mr Bolton explained: "People think its only the winter when we see these times of pressure and I think the four-day bank holidays are contributing factors to this.

"We're here if you need us in an emergency but if you don't need to come to hospital, then please don't.

"If you can manage your symptoms yourself, or can contact your GP, call 111 or the your local pharmacy then please do that.

"If you reduce the numbers at hospital, it makes us more efficient for when you might need that help most."

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