A NEW sign displaying current accident and emergency waiting times has been installed outside of Barrow's hospital in a bid to encourage people with non-urgent illnesses to think twice before coming inside. 

The electronic display is now in action at Furness General Hospital, in Barrow, to inform people how long they can expect to wait before being seen by a medic. 

It is hoped the innovative move will help alleviate unprecedented pressures seen within the Dalton Lane emergency department this winter. 

Jackie Daniel, chief executive at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust - the body that runs FGH said staff were working 'flat out' to keep up with an influx of people arriving at A&E. 

"Staff in our hospitals and right across the country are continuing to work flat out at the moment," she said. 

"As well as reviewing operational practices, one of the other changes we’ve made in the last few weeks is to introduce large displays outside of our two A&E departments. 

"These new displays make it really clear to the public about how long on average they may have to wait to be seen, along with providing information on alternative ways of seeking assistance." 

Mrs Daniel, who took over the reins at the trust in 2012, explained work to clarify to the public that hospital emergency departments were for serious, urgent or life threatening emergencies only was ongoing. 

She added: "If you arrive at our hospitals it is very clear what our message is towards hand hygiene, you can be under no doubt we consider it a priority. 

"We now want to do the same about attending A&E. We don’t want to rush this work, but there is a sense of urgency and therefore we will be raising our game in this area in weeks, not months." 


It is hoped real time A&E waiting times for both FGH and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary will also be displayed on the trust's website in the coming months to ensure people know how busy the emergency department is before they leave home. 

The most recent data available - for November - shows 8,363 people attended A&E at FGH and RLI during the month with 89.2 per cent being seen, admitted or discharged within four hours. 

The national target is 95 per cent. 

Members of the public are being advised to attend if taken by ambulance, advised by their GP or if they are feeling acutely unwell, suffering shortness or breath, chest pains or experiencing loss of blood.

Anyone else is being asked to seek medical help from their GP, out of hours service, pharmacist or the NHS 111 advice number.