Only a seven hour wait at Southport A&E

Photo: Ambulances waiting outside Southport A&E

Patients and paramedics were left waiting just seven hours outside Southport Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit yesterday as nurses and doctors battled with a major demand for beds, Tuesday 12 April 2016.

Hospital bosses have warned people to only use the emergency service if they are in a serious or life threatening condition, in an effort to ease the demand on the service, which at the time of going to press showed no signs of abating.

It is believed that at least one ambulance was waiting for seven hours to drop off a patient.  Nine ambulances, two emergency response vehicles and a police car waiting to deliver patients to the hospital.

It is understands that due to the huge influx of cases, some patients had to wait on beds in corridors to eventually be seen by a doctor.

Rob Gillies, Executive Medical Director, said: “We are asking people to use A&E wisely and think carefully before calling an ambulance.

“A&E is for people facing life-threatening and serious emergencies such as serious accidents, serious burns, breathing problems, heart attacks and strokes.

“Coughs, colds, sore throats, upset stomachs, general aches and pains, and flu will usually clear up on their own. Keep warm, drink plenty of fluids and, if appropriate, treat with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol.

“Contact a GP or a GP out of hours service for help with injuries or illnesses that won’t go away.

“Alternatively, West Lancashire Health Centre at Ormskirk hospital is open from 8am to 10pm all year round. Skelmersdale NHS Walk-in Centre at The Concourse is open from 7am to 10pm weekdays and from 9am to 5pm on weekends.

“Local pharmacies and the NHS Choices website are also a good source of information and advice.”

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