SOUTH Cumbria residents are being asked to think twice about whether A&E is the best healthcare service for them in a bid ease pressure on the department.  

The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Furness General Hospital, in Barrow, is launching Think! Why A&E? campaign.

As with many other NHS Trust in the country, UHMBT’s two Emergency

Departments at FGH and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary have been experiencing a raise in demand for some time. In order to try to ease the pressure on the departments and also raise awareness within local communities of the range of healthcare services available, UHMBT has launched the campaign.

The campaign aims to encourage people to seek the right treatment from the right person at the right time, and not automatically attend A&E, unless it is an emergency or life-threatening situation.

Pim Mission, Better Care Together project manager said; “The Better Care Together team carried out an engagement exercise in December 2015, visiting the Emergency Department at Furness General Hospital on six different days. When we were there, we spoke to 86 people who were waiting in the department to be seen.

“Interestingly, nearly half of the people we spoke to (43 per cent) did not try to get advice or treatment elsewhere first before they came to A&E.

Dr Paul Grout, Deputy Medical Director, UHMBT said; “Whilst we will see and treat all patients who attend either of our Emergency Departments, some of those that attend could be better treated elsewhere.

“We understand that it can be confusing for people with the various different services available, and when a loved one is poorly, it can be hard to know what to do for the

best. That is why we hope detailing the services available and the types of symptoms they can help with, in an exciting and accessible way will help local people make the right choice.

“This isn’t about telling people they cannot come to A&E; it’s about asking them to think about whether there is another healthcare service that could not only help them quicker and ensure they get the right treatment from the right person at the right time, keeping the emergency departments available for those needing immediate

medical care.”

The campaign is expected to launch at UHMBT this month, and people can look out for print and online adverts, and leaflets.

More information on the Think! Why A&E? campaign can be found at:

http://whyaande.nhs.uk/ or https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/our-services/think-why-e-and