Health leaders plea to the local community to ‘think which service’ due to extreme pressure

Health and care services across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are under extreme pressure. Local health and care leaders are urging people to ‘think which service’ and choose the right service for their needs to help reduce the pressure and make sure everyone can get the care they need as quickly as possible.

We are seeing unprecedented numbers of people coming into our emergency departments and delays in discharging patients who are well enough to leave our care are limiting the number of beds we have available for those we need to admit.

We are taking additional steps to ensure we continue to provide the care our communities need, but we need our communities help to ensure everyone can get the right help, at the right place, as quickly as possible.

How you can help

• Only go to an emergency department if you have a life-threatening injury or illness.
• Visit NHS 111 online or call 111 if you need urgent medical help. They can direct you to the right place and help you get treated sooner.
• Consider using your local Minor Injury Unit in Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry and Whitchurch. These can provide rapid treatment for injuries and illnesses that don’t require emergency hospital care.
• Use your local pharmacist for minor conditions such as upset stomachs, earache, skin rashes and for relief of coughs and colds.
• You can also contact your local GP. If you need more help, visit the think which service website.
• If you have a loved one or family member in hospital, help us get them home as soon as they are well enough to leave our care.

People recover faster and more fully at home, and our discharge teams will make sure they have all the support they need to do so. This frees up a bed for other patients who need it. In turn this helps us to make space on our wards to care for the growing number of people waiting to be admitted, either in an emergency or for a planned operation.

Dr Nick White, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: “Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin health and care services are under a lot of pressure right now and we really do need everyone’s support. Our priority is to keep everyone as safe as possible and respond as best we can in these very testing circumstances.

“We’re working hard to ensure that patients who need our help continue to get the support they need as quickly as possible. But we’re also asking the public to help us too by keeping emergency services free for people who are critically ill or injured and choosing the right service for their needs.

“Inevitably at times of pressure this will impact on how we are able to deliver services. I would urge everyone in our communities to lend your support and kindness to our teams working extra hard during these difficult times.”

Thank you for helping and for treating our staff with the respect they deserve.