People heading to Cornwall for the new year are being urged to bring their own medication as the county’s health services are under extreme pressure.
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust urged people to only call 999 or use the emergency department for life-threatening illnesses and injuries and suggested visitors bring pain relief and rehydration powders, among other medicines.
Twitter said: “Heading to #Cornwall this #NewYear? Just in case, be wise and bring these three kings of self-service! Pain relief, flu and cold medicine and rehydration powders. And don’t forget to pack your prescription drugs, too. #HelpUsHelpYou”.
The trust attached an image detailing what people should have in their first aid kit, including bandages, bandages, tweezers, scissors, antiseptic and medical tape.
South West Ambulance Service, which covers the region, has declared a critical incident as it is under “extreme pressure”.
As of Wednesday morning, it said there were 482 patients waiting for ambulances, with 106 patients awaiting transfer to hospitals in the region.
Adrian Harris, chief medical officer at neighboring Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, described how emergency departments were under “incredible pressure”.
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“I would ask all people to think very carefully before attending, to consider using 111 online or over the phone, to consider going to their pharmacy and, where necessary, to contact their GP,” he said.
“We are very, very busy, so please do not attend unless absolutely necessary. If you are in doubt and think you need help, please come to us. We are open, but we are very, very busy.”
Other trusts declaring a critical incident include Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which said there was “significant ongoing pressure on local NHS services”.
The trust has seen “record numbers” of people attending accident and emergency departments, calling 111, accessing GP services and calling 999, he said.
There are also “continued challenges in discharging patients who are well enough to leave hospital”, as well as an increase in staff absenteeism.
The North East Ambulance Service declared a critical incident on December 27, describing “unprecedented pressure on the health system”.
It said there were “significant delays” for more than 100 patients waiting for an ambulance, along with a reduction in the availability of ambulance crews to respond due to delays in the handover of patients to hospitals.
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