Queen Alexandra Hospital bosses issue warning as A&E visits rise

Attendances at Queen Alexandra Hospital’s A&E have begun to rise after a significant drop off during lockdown.

Dr Mark Roland, deputy medical director at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said: ‘The safety of our patients is our top priority and we continue to follow all national guidance regarding Covid-19.

‘Working with our partners we have now supported more than 720 patients who have been offered a booked time slot at our emergency department after they have been clinically assessed via NHS 111.

‘I urge any patient in Portsmouth and South East Hampshire who has a minor illness or injury to call NHS 111 first, where trained advisors will assess them and direct them to the right service for their needs. If a patient is advised to attend the Emergency Department but it is not a life threatening emergency, NHS 111 will book them a time slot.

‘Contacting NHS 111 first helps us to keep our patients safe with social distancing in our Emergency Department and supports patients to access the right service the first time.’

It comes as more than 720 patients have attended a booked time slot at Queen Alexandra Hospital's emergency department via the enhanced NHS 111 service.

It was launched last month and hospital bosses want anyone with urgent, non life-threatening conditions to take advantage of the service in a bid to reduce overcrowding and the spread of Covid-19 and ensure social distancing.

It has now been more than two months since the last death linked to coronavirus was recorded at Queen Alexandra Hospital.

Figures show that no-one has died from the virus at the hospital since June 5. The number of deaths remains at 229.

The first death linked to coronavirus at QA Hospital was recorded on March 13, and this is the longest period there has been without any deaths recorded.

Figures are subject to change as post-mortem results are filed, so the hospital trust can only fully confirm deaths several days after they have happened.