NUH has issued this plea to patients to spread the word.
Nottingham University Hospitals said:
‘Can you please help us to share this message?
‘We are currently seeing extremely large volumes of people attending and waiting in our Emergency Department (A&E).
‘This isn’t for any one reason.
‘Some of these patients in the department need our specialist emergency and life-saving/time-critical care and they are and will be treated first.
‘It is predicted that hundreds more patients will attend our A&E department today.
‘However and as always, this means that patients who need medical care but it isn’t an emergency or life-threatening will wait a long time in A&E.
‘But you don’t always need to wait a long time in A&E to get the help you need.
‘If appropriate, you can be seen and treated much quicker by using our partner services such as the Urgent Treatment Centre, GPs, going to a Pharmacist, speaking to a health professional at NHS 111 or visiting places such as the Emergency Dentist.
‘We know it can be difficult to know where to go for help and you don’t want to waste time by potentially using a different service to find out you need to go somewhere else.
‘This is why we always say, if you are unsure where to go for help, or thinking about whether you should attend A&E then you must contact NHS 111 first.
‘Health professionals will assess you, tell you where to go and what to do next. It will save you the thoughts of: “Did I go to the right place? Could I have gone somewhere else to be seen quicker?”
‘If it is a genuine emergency you need to call 999 or head straight to A&E. In this case, you need to see us so we can care for you. We will provide the best possible care for you and your loved ones in the times you need it most.
‘We just need your help with using all of the other services available too, if it is available to you. As always, thank you.’