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