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Comment from Diane Wake, chief executive, the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
“In response to severe pressure on our services, we are taking action to prioritise and maintain safe services for our patients.
“We are seeing significant demand upon all our services across the Trust, including a high number of patients waiting for treatment in our emergency department. As a result of these high numbers there are long waits in our emergency department, and ultimately longer waits for admission into our wards.
“Our staff are working tirelessly to provide the best possible care under these challenging circumstances in a safe and timely manner. Our main focus is providing care for patients who need urgent or emergency care, and those who are receiving inpatient care in our clinical sites.
“Our health and care services are continuing to work together to resolve the situation. If people need medical help, we would ask them to visit NHS111 online or use a service in the local area such as a local pharmacist or GP.”
What can you do to help?
Our teams continue to work exceptionally hard, and we would like to reassure our patients and the public that despite the challenges faced and the changes highlighted, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if you require urgent medical help, please continue to come forward.
Patients may experience longer waits, but please be assured we will be prioritising care based on clinical need to maintain safe services for our patients.
Other things you can do to help the NHS, include:
- Contact NHS 111 for urgent medical help or if you are unsure which service you need. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can get help from NHS 111:
- by using 111 online
- in the NHS App
- by calling 111
NHS 111 can direct you to the best place to get help if you cannot contact your GP during the day, or when your GP is closed (out-of-hours). If you need help in other languages, you can call 111 and ask for an interpreter.
- For non-urgent cases when you need medical advice and it’s not an emergency, please speak to your GP practice or a pharmacist.
- If you cannot make any NHS appointment, please contact the number on your appointment letter so that it can be reallocated to another patient.
