By Isle of Wight Observer
Islanders are again being urged to support local health services as the number of patients needing urgent and emergency care have reached peak levels.
People are experiencing long wait times in the Emergency Department at St Mary’s Hospital, and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service is responding to a high volume of 999 and 111 calls. Delays in transferring patients to emergency care are adding pressure across the Island’s health and care system.
The Trust is appealing to the local community to help alleviate the situation by taking their relatives or friends home from the hospital as soon as they are ready for discharge, and providing care and support at home if possible. Residents are reminded to use online 111 services or consult with a pharmacist, GP, or practice nurse for minor conditions that do not require hospital treatment.
Victoria Lauchlan, the trust’s chief operating officer said, “We apologise to those attending our Emergency Department for the long wait times. Our teams are working tirelessly around the clock, and we are doing everything we can to support patients leaving the hospital as soon as they are ready, but we need help.
“If you have a relative or loved one in hospital, please speak to the ward staff about how you can assist them to leave the hospital and support them at home temporarily until a plan for their ongoing care is established. Each patient discharged frees up space for another patient to receive care, ensuring the Emergency Department remains available for those needing lifesaving treatment and allowing ambulances to return promptly to the community.”
In recent years such appeals have become a common feature of Island healthcare, especially in the winter months.
