A WARNING has been given that accident and emergency departments locally are under ‘significant strain’, as up to 130 people turn up every day.
Health officials say the NHS service locally is feeling the winter pressure already and patients could face extended waits at DGRI.
They also described “a very high degree of busyness’ currently within the region’s health and social care system, noting that all departments are operating under an extremely high degree of pressure, particularly those who manage unscheduled care.
Dr Pete Armstrong is a consultant in the Emergency Department at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, and he said: “We’ve been incredibly busy right across this year, but we’re really starting to see that increase now as we enter winter.
“In one average day at DGRI we might be seeing 130 people arrive at the Emergency Department – which is a really high number, and sees us operating beyond capacity in order to meet that need.
“In these circumstances, we really need everyone to understand what that means – in terms of what is exactly that the ED can help with, the length of time people may need to wait, and how we all might need to adapt in order to meet this very high volume and complexity of need.”
Adverts have been appearing on social media reminding everyone that the Emergency Department is for life-threatening emergencies only.
For everything else, people are recommended to visit the NHS Inform website, contact NHS24 on 111, or to contact their local pharmacy or medical practice.
Leaflets are being issued to visitors to the emergency departments at both Dumfries Infirmary and the Galloway Community Hospital are setting out the reality of the situation.
This includes warning they may mean having to spend time in non-clinical areas such as waiting areas or corridors, or potentially share rooms with another patient.
Dr Armstrong added: “Hopefully the public messaging, on social media and with these leaflets, gives people an understanding of the challenge faced, and how we might need to adapt in order to meet this challenge.
“We’re seeing this sort of pressure right across the country, and there’s no question we will need to be flexible in order to make it through what looks set to be an extremely challenging winter.”
Meanwhile, work is also taking place in main hospital wards to ensure that everyone who is medically ready to leave is promptly discharged home or to a homely environment.
As part of that, patients and their families are being asked to ensure they are ready to leave hospital as soon as those arrangements are in place.
