People in Stockport, the High Peak and East Cheshire who need urgent NHS care are being asked to call NHS 111 before they decide to walk into A&E.

To ensure social distancing in the emergency department (A&E) waiting areas; people who do not need an ambulance are being asked to contact NHS 111 before attending. The service will then book them into the emergency department at Stepping Hill Hospital or at the most appropriate health service for the patient.

The new approach will ensure that patients can access the clinical service they need, first time. Patients who need to be seen in the emergency department will be able to be seen and treated quicker.

The system was first trialled in Blackpool and Warrington and is now being launched nationally.

Andrew Loughney, Medical Director at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said: “Anyone who feels that their health is in serious immediate danger should still call 999. If you need urgent care but do not feel that you are in serious immediate danger, however, you should contact NHS 111 instead either by telephone or online. During the call you will be able to explain your symptoms to a trained professional who will then give you direct access to the right kind of clinical care with the least possible delay. This should mean that you will avoid having to wait around in an overcrowded waiting room and you will get more rapid access to the treatment you need.”

“By reducing overcrowding, this new system will help in the fight against Covid. Even after the pandemic though, it should help us to improve the care we are giving to anyone who has a serious urgent health condition.”

Dr Cath Briggs, local GP and Clinical Chair for NHS Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group said: “The development of the existing 111 service to now be able to clinically assess people before they attend services or the emergency department (A & E) is a real benefit to people who need urgent help. By telephoning 111 first, they are able to access the clinical service they need. Importantly, it helps to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 between patients and to staff by reducing crowding in waiting areas across services.”

Nationally around 70% of people attending emergency departments had just walked in and the majority of those could have been seen through other services such as the urgent treatment centres, GP or even pharmacy.

Anyone who attends the emergency department (A&E) without an appointment from NHS 111 will still be seen but could be directed to other services for treatment. Those with appointments from NHS 111 will also be given priority unless there is a medical need.

People with life threatening conditions that need emergency attention should still call 999. Likewise, if the condition is not serious, they should still seek advice from their pharmacy or make an appointment with their GP.