Hospital warning after 'busiest ever week' in Doncaster A&E department

Bosses at Doncaster Royal Infirmary are baffled as to why they have seen a major run on the service over the last week, but do not believe it is linked to the surge of norovirus and ‘flu cases which resulted in schools closing at the end of last week.

For children’s attendances, nine of the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s emergency department’s busiest days ever have been recorded since November 22. The highest was 104 attendances on Monday November 25. The second highest ever was 102, on Thursday November 28.

For adult attendances, Monday November 25 saw the service’s busiest day ever, with its staff seeing 390 patients.

This was almost beaten a week later on December 2 with 368 patients attending. Of those, 175 were classified as ‘minors’ which meant an alternative service could have been used.

This year the trust is forecasting to see 187,000 patients across Doncaster and Worksop, which is 12,000 more than last year.

Although medics are aware that norovirus is around in the area, they say they are not seeing many attendances with winter vomiting or ‘flu, but just down to general demand.

A spokesman said the trust was coping and maintain a figure over over 90 per cent in terms of seeing patients withing four hour access, but said it was very challenging for staff.

They are now urging people to stay away unless it is a life threatening emergency.

Rebecca Joyce, chief operating officer at the trust, said: “Throughout the past few weeks, our Emergency Departments have been extremely busy. With record-breaking attendances for both children and adults, I urge local people to only attend the service if you need life-saving care and treatment.”

“Please remember to only use the Emergency Department when it’s just that – an emergency. However, if you are ill or injured, you can seek advice by calling NHS 111, making an appointment with your GP or dropping by your local pharmacy. Please help us during this most challenging part of the year.”