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Winter illnesses hit Wellington’s Emergency Department hard
The head of nursing for Capital & Coast DHB’s Emergency Services says an increasing number of people are ending up in hospital because they’re failing to take sensible steps to look after themselves in the early stages of an illness or injury.
Lee Allsop is the Nurse Manager of Wellington Hospital’s Emergency Department, where staff have been overwhelmed in recent weeks, with increasing numbers of patients presenting for treatment. A significant number of these patients have illnesses which, if managed earlier, may not have worsened to the level where they need hospital care.
The Emergency Department has also noticed an increase in the number of people seeking care for more minor or non-urgent problems. “We’re constantly emphasising that people need to save the Emergency Department for emergencies, but the number of people coming to us with non urgent problems seems to keep growing,” Lee Allsop said.
Normally around 115 people come to Wellington’s ED each day – but in August the average approached 135, and on some days presentations peaked at nearly 150.
Lee Allsop says managing these volumes of patients at Wellington ED - combined with a very full and busy hospital – is increasing waiting times in the ED.
“We regret those delays, which for people with non urgent problems can be up to 6 hours or more - so we encourage people who know their problem is not urgent to please see your GP or After Hours Service rather than attend the ED.”
Mrs. Allsop encourages people with the early stages of winter chills and ills to take a few basic steps to manage the illness such as taking time off work, resting, having plenty of drinks and taking regular simple analgesia like Panadol. She also encourages people with colds and flu to take special care with hand washing and disposal of tissues to prevent spreading their illness to others.
She acknowledges that GP practices are also very busy, but encourages people to book appointments with their GPs sooner rather than later if they feel they are not improving
“I really can’t emphasise enough how important it is for people to take responsibility for their own health, use simple measures to manage their illness or minor injuries and if they know their problem is not urgent, to make their GP their first port of call – thereby saving the Emergency Department for Emergencies and serious illnesses,” Lee Allsop said.
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