RESIDENTS are being reminded of the alternatives to a visit to the Emergency Department at Hereford County Hospital over the Easter weekend.
The department is only for serious injuries or illnesses – and people who turn up there with minor injuries may end up waiting a long time while staff attend urgent patients.
Jon Barnes, chief operating officer at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “Traditionally we can be busy over bank holiday weekends. Easter is no exception so we’re urging people to consider alternatives and only attend the Emergency Department if they have a serious injury or illness.”
The NHS alternatives are:
- Telephoning NHS 111
- Seek advice from your local pharmacy. For more information on local health services, visit www.nhs.uk
- Using the Taurus extended hours GP services at Wargrave House Surgery, St Owen Street, Hereford; The Marches Surgery, Westfield Walk, Leominster; and Pendeen Surgery, Kent Avenue, Ross on Wye, which are available by appointment from 8am to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Visit www.taurushealthcare.co.uk (7 day access)
- Visiting the Herefordshire walk-in GP Access Centre, by ASDA, Belmont Road, Hereford, which is open 8am-8pm
- Attending the Ledbury Community Health and Care Centre Minor Injury Unit which is open 24- hours-a-day, or Leominster Community Hospital and Ross Community Hospital Minor Injury Units which are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday only
- Visiting Kington Health and Social Care Centre Minor Injury Unit which is open from 8am to 8pm
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