In April the Trust, which operates Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital and Montagu Hospital, has seen around 40% fewer emegency attendances than in the same period last year, amounting to a gap of around 6,500 people. This drop comes despite the number of local residents seeking treatment for Covid-19 in the past few weeks.
While the Trust has been busy putting in place safeguards and other related processes to meet the challenges of Covid-19, clinicians are becoming increasingly concerned that people are not seeking medical attention due a worry about visiting hospitals.
Dr Tim Noble, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Medical Director at DBTH, said: “Throughout the past month, we have seen a dramatic decline in the number of patients who would normally come to our hospitals, with our Emergency Departments reporting a 30% decrease in activity since March.
“If you need urgent medical attention, our nurses, doctors and other health professionals are here for you 24 hours a day and seven days a week. We are doing our utmost to ensure that our hospitals remain as safe as possible and, if you need us, we are ready to care for you.”
Throughout the past few weeks, both Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Bassetlaw Hospital have been busy establishing separate designated zones for patients who are not being treated for Covid-19, or suspected of it, and other areas for those who have tested positive or have related symptoms.
This segregation means that healthcare professionals are able to better manage the flow of patients across sites as well as reducing the risk of cross-infection. These areas are clearly signposted, and services such as the Emergency Department remain open to walk-in attendances.
Dr Noble continues: “If you have an appointment with us which requires you to physically come to our hospitals, or if you’re feeling unwell and need to use our urgent and emergency facilities, please do seek that help. The NHS remains open for business and ready to care for you.”