Coronavirus: NHS urges people to go to hospital for emergencies as A&E visits fall by 50 per cent

The NHS has launched a campaign to encourage the public to seek urgent care for medical emergencies after visits to A&E departments fell by nearly 50 per cent in April.

Doctors and health officials previously warned that many are avoiding hospitals for fear of contracting coronavirus, and thereby risking their long-term health and even their lives.

According to the NHS, four in 10 people are not seeking help from their GP because of concerns they may become a burden on the health service.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said in a statement: “While NHS staff have pulled out all the stops to deal with coronavirus, they have also worked hard to ensure that patients who don’t have Covid-19 can safely access essential services.”

“Ignoring problems can have serious consequences – now or in the future,” he added.

Professor Carrie MacEwen, chair of The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, said the public needs to know that the NHS “is still open for business” and it is “vitally important” to seek help for serious conditions and concerns.

“In April 2019 there were over 2.1 million attendances at A&E departments in England; data published by Public Health England suggests that attendances over this month are around 50 per cent lower,” she said.

She added that the British Heart Foundation reported a similar fall among people attending with heart attacks.

A new public health information campaign will be rolled out via digital adverts, posters and social media to urge people to contact their GP or 111 services, and make use of 999 in emergencies, and to attend hospital when needed.

The NHS will also encourage people to use other vital services – such as cancer screening and care, maternity appointments and mental health support – as they normally would.

Earlier this month, doctors and medical professionals raised concerns that people were avoiding hospitals and sought to reassure the public that hospitals are “well poised” to receive and treat patients for non-coronavirus-related issues.

“As part of the NHS’s rapid response to the greatest public health challenge in its history, hospitals have freed up more than 33,000 beds, the equivalent of 50 new hospitals, over the last few weeks,” it said in a statement.

“An unprecedented deal with the independent sector has put their 8,000 beds and 20,000 staff at the NHS’ disposal, and seven Nightingale hospitals have been rapidly set up around the country, providing over 3,500 more beds to help local hospitals ensure all those who need care can get it.”

The NHS added that the increase in capacity combined with social distancing measures practised by the public has slowed the spread of coronavirus and allowed the NHS to successfully “meet everyone’s need, with capacity to spare”.