Health and care services across north east Essex are currently experiencing significant pressure, with unprecedented levels of demand for Accident and Emergency (A&E) and GP services.
Clinicians at Colchester Hospital say they’re seeing many more patients than they have space for.
They are reminding local people with minor illnesses or non-life threatening conditions to seek alternative treatment or to visit their local pharmacist for advice and support if they need it.
A spokesman for the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “Our local system is under serious pressure at the moment. The priority is being given to those patients with urgent life threatening injuries and illnesses. If you attend A&E with a minor illness, you are likely to face an extremely long wait as the department’s main focus will be given to those people with a serious life threatening injury or illness. Please consider the alternative options before attending A&E.”
Pharmacists are medicines experts who can advise on the treatment of a range of minor ailments and many are open at late and at weekends.
