Merseyside’s most ridiculous reasons for using emergency services have been revealed as part of Self Care Week (14-20 November), which aims to encourage people to think about the wide range of health services available before they dial 999 or visit A&E this winter.
In a bid to keep A&E and the 999 number free for genuine medical emergencies over the busier months, NHS Merseyside have revealed the five most unusual reasons for their use this year...
Top five most unusual emergency service reasons
· A person walking into A&E for help as they couldn’t cut their own toe nails
· Someone dialling 999 to get a lift to A&E to collect a bank card from a friend who was in hospital
· Someone walking into A&E with a paper cut
· Someone calling 999 because she had a broken tooth
Figures from last year saw 433,124 visits to A&E across Knowsley, Sefton and Liverpool[i] and a 4.08% increase in the number of 999 calls received in the North West[ii]. With many of these being for reasons which could have been resolved by using alternative services, health chiefs are urging people to remember how crucial it is that emergency services are only used for immediately life threatening or serious health problems to ensure this number doesn’t rise again this year.
Dr Kate Clark, consultant in emergency medicine, said: “With the increasing pressure on emergency services over the winter months, Self Care Week is an ideal opportunity to stress the importance of people using alternative local health services and taking care of themselves to ensure A & E and the 999 number are kept free for genuine medical emergencies. When people are taking up the time of hospital and ambulance staff with minor issues which could be dealt with much closer to home, people with life threatening illnesses are not being seen to as quickly as they could be.
“It is vital to remember that the ambulance service and A & E should not be used as an alternative to your GP if your surgery is closed. If you require medical assistance outside of normal surgery hours this winter, Merseyside have a wide range of alternative health services available including GP out-of-hours services, walk-in centres and pharmacists who are qualified to offer advice and treat common, everyday illnesses.”
Alternative NHS services available to Merseyside residents:
- GP out-of-hours service – For times when you need to see a doctor when your GP surgery is closed, GP out-of-hours services are available on the usual surgery number and are staffed by local doctors and nurses who can offer advice or, if necessary, treatment at home or in a local health centre
· Walk-in centres – With no appointment necessary walk-in centres are managed by doctors and nurses who are available to deal with minor illnesses and injuries. Most are also open out of office hours, 365 days a year.
- Pharmacies –Pharmacists are qualified to offer advice on health issues and medication as well as treat coughs, colds and other common illnesses without an appointment. For those that wish to speak to a pharmacist in private, many have a consultation rooms away from customers to discuss health queries.
Graeme Batten, a Sefton based pharmacist, explains how residents can visit their local chemist this winter for minor ailments: “With many people visiting A&E for everyday injuries such as minor cuts and bruises, it is important to remember that pharmacists are trained health professionals who can not only provide over-the-counter medicines, but also offer expert advice about common everyday illnesses such as skin conditions, aches and pains, allergies and the safe use of medication.
“Unlike GP practices many pharmacies are also open late and over the weekend allowing people to see a health professional without the need for an appointment. Most chemists also have a quiet area or consultation room away from customers where you can speak to the pharmacist privately.”
Pharmacists are qualified to help with:
- skin conditions, such as mild acne and mild eczema
- coughs and colds, including nasal congestion and sore throat
- minor cuts and bruises
- constipation and haemorrhoids (piles)
- hay fever and allergies
- aches and pains, such as headaches, earache and backache
- indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
- period pain and thrush
- warts, verrucas, mouth ulcers and cold sores
- athlete's foot
- nappy rash and teething
For further information about the health services available visit your local NHS website at:
Knowsley: www.knowsley.nhs.uk
Liverpool: www.liverpoolpct.nhs.uk
Sefton: www.sefton.nhs.uk
Halton & St Helens: http://www.haltonandsthelenspct.nhs.uk
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