Local NHS services are continuing to face high levels of demand and are working tirelessly to provide the best possible care.
The result is that services could feel different for patients. This might mean you are waiting longer, your appointments may be moved, and treatment may be delayed.
The number of people attending the Emergency Department, Urgent Treatment Centres and Minor Injuries Units is much higher than usual.
In our area, 11th July was the busiest day on record, with 834 patients coming through the doors leading to very long waiting times.
It’s important that people who need urgent medical care can quickly get the help they need, especially in life-threatening and emergency cases. Patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgeries are also a continuing priority.
To make sure that the people with the highest need are prioritised, some appointments and procedures may need to be cancelled, but this will only be where it absolutely necessary. The NHS will contact anybody whose appointments or procedures need to be rescheduled.
It is important that people continue to attend appointments unless they are contacted and told otherwise.
Please call 999 or attend accident and emergency services in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
In other circumstances, we would ask that people use NHS 111 online (www.111.nhs.uk) for non-emergency health needs.
If you have a relative or friend due to be discharged from hospital who needs to be collected, please do whatever you can to help bring them home as early as possible. This will help teams free-up a hospital bed for someone waiting to be admitted.
Local NHS services will be using their website and social media channels to provide up to date information to the public about local service disruption.
For updates and information – https://elht.nhs.uk/