With Accident and Emergency departments extremely busy, NHS urges people to use NHS 111

The local NHS in Humber and North Yorkshire is urging people to use NHS 111 to get the medical help they need this winter.

Traditionally the busiest time of the year for the NHS, the increase in demand across health services can put a strain on the local system.

It is estimated that up to two-fifths of hospital A&E attendances are avoidable or could be better treated elsewhere.

Using NHS 111 to get the "right care, first time" can help to reduce pressure in A&Es, meaning doctors and nurses can focus on treating those people who are more severely unwell.

NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board is repeating long-standing NHS advice for people to use 999 or A&E services for life threatening emergencies and serious injuries, and to otherwise "get to the help they need" by accessing NHS 111 online, via the NHS App or over the telephone.

Highly trained advisors at NHS 111 will assess and direct people to the most appropriate local service, including hospital urgent treatment centres, GP practices, and consultations with a pharmacist. If needed, staff can also arrange a call back from a nurse, doctor or paramedic.

Crisis mental health support, access to emergency prescriptions and signposting to emergency dental help are also available via NHS 111.

Dr Nigel Wells, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB's Executive Director of Clinical and Professional, said: “While people should always call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency when someone is seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk, NHS 111 is an easy and convenient way to get urgent help in other situations.

"Pressure has risen across all parts of the NHS with the health service going into winter busier than ever before, after a record few months of A&E and ambulance demand."

Humber Health Partnership, which runs hospitals including Hull Royal Infirmary, Diana Princess of Wales in Grimsby and Scunthorpe General, posted on social media at the weekend: "Emergency departments right across the Humber region are extremely busy.

"People coming to A&E whose conditions are not urgent should expect lengthy waits as we prioritise those with serious injury and life-threatening illness.

"If your problem is not a threat to life or limb, we kindly ask that you use an alternative service if at all possible, such as your local pharmacy, urgent treatment centre, or NHS 111 via phone or online. If you're not sure which service to use, NHS 111 can help with that too. Thank you for your support."

A similar message was posted this week by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: "Our emergency departments are extremely busy. Please help us prioritise our most unwell patients by choosing the right service for your symptoms. Only attend A&E in a life-threatening or emergency situation. Find the right help for your symptoms at 111.nhs.uk."

Dr Ed Smith, ED Consultant and Deputy Medical Director, had previously posted: "Both our York and Scarborough emergency departments are extremely busy at the moment. We are experiencing a high volume of patient attendances and there's a long wait time to be seen which is incredibly frustrating for the patients as well as the staff, but that's the situation we're in.

"If it's at all possible we are asking you to try to find alternatives to coming to acute hospital to be seen. Of course we want to see you if you are unwell and very sick but the wait times are long."

The NHS 111 service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can go online, use the NHS App, or call to get:

· directed to the right health care service in your area

· a call back from a nurse, doctor or paramedic

· advice on self-care

The 111 phone service can help with the same problems as 111 online. Call 111 if you cannot use the online service because you: need help for a child under five or you have complex problems caused by an existing medical condition.

People who need help in another language can call 111 and ask for an interpreter, British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact 111 using the NHS 111 BSL interpreter service by visiting 111.nhs.uk, and text relay users can call 18001 111.

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/111

To help you Choose Well, visit www.letsgetbetter.co.uk/get-the-right-care/