King’s Mill misses A&E waiting target but is not facing a crisis

Data for Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust last quarter shows 83.37 per cent of patients were seen in four hours against a target of 95 per cent.

The news came as a number of hospitals declared “major incidents” recently.

Sue Barnett, interim Director of Operations at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Hospitals across the country get especially busy during the winter months, when viruses such as flu and Norovirus are more common. This is particularly so for our local population, many of who suffer from underlying respiratory conditions.

“Activity has increased throughout the year with 8.5per cent more patients attending our hospitals.

She said ‘robust plans’ were in place to manage the additional pressures over the winter period.

“Extra nurses and doctors are working in our hospitals and in the community to maintain the high standards of care that people expect and deserve.”

Ms Barnett said plans have already been submitted to make changes to the Emergency Department at King’s Mill Hospital and at the Minor Injuries Unit/Urgent Care Centre at Newark Hospital in order to make access to health services simpler for patients.

The proposals should create a system which enables patients to access the most appropriate services quickly and easily.

She added: “We are working with our partners from community health and the local Clinical Commissioning Groups to ensure patients who do not require a hospital stay are discharged and supported in the most appropriate environment for them.”

She said people suffering very minor injuries and illnesses including bruises, grazes sprains, coughs, colds and sore throats, should take advice from their GP, local pharmacist or out of hours service in the first instance, rather than go to A&E.

“We are urging people to consider whether they really need to be treated in our Emergency Department or whether it would be more appropriate to see another health professional. We need to ensure we can give urgent and emergency care to those people who really need it.”

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