Health service continuity in light of the adverse weather

01 December, 2010

Due to the severe weather conditions, a number of local health services have been affected and/or are running a limited service.

Community services
In Hull and the East Riding, community services (including district nursing, intermediate care and health visiting) will be prioritising patients with urgent care needs.Routine, non-urgent visits and clinics will not be taking place.
Health centres
The majority of health centres across Hull and the East Riding are currently open as normal but will be prioritising and delivering essential services only. If you have a routine appointment, please telephone to check the service is running.

Bransholme Minor Injuries Unit is operating as normal.
Doctors, dentists etc
Patients who are due to attend appointments at GP practices, dental surgeries etc. are advised to telephone ahead before setting out for their appointments. Some practices may be experiencing staffing difficulties which may affect their ability to see patients as planned, in particular those which employ a single practitioner.
Acute hospital services
Services are continuing as far as possible. Patients and visitors who are not certain they can return home safely should consider not attending and patients can rearrange their appointment by contacting the appropriate department.

The mobile breast screening service (Brigg, Scunthorpe, and Holme on Spalding Moor) has been cancelled, however the service is still running at Castle Hill Hospital and in St Stephen’s Shopping Centre.

Beverley Westwood Minor Injuries Unit will be closing at 3pm today. Patients are advised to consider alternative options including pharmacies and NHS Direct.

The home birth service is currently suspended and the Jubilee Birth Centre will be temporarily closed until further notice - women should call the Labour Ward at the Women and Children’s Hospital.

Community hospitals

All community hospitals are open but some clinics have been cancelled and the x-ray facility at Hornsea Hospital is currently closed. Withernsea Community Hospital is operating as normal.
Ambulance services
Yorkshire Ambulance Service, which covers the whole of the Yorkshire area, is coming under severe pressure. Patients are reminded not to call for an ambulance unless it is a genuine emergency.

Health managers in the Hull and East Yorkshire area are urging patients to exercise caution at this time and consider their options:

Jim Deacon, Assistant Director, Emergency Planning for NHS Hull says:

“The adverse weather conditions have made travelling around the area difficult, and as a result some parts of the health service are operating with reduced staffing levels. Priority is currently being given to emergency cases and those with urgent care needs.

“We would ask for the public’s cooperation and understanding at this time. The weather is making travelling difficult, so we would suggest patients should only venture out if it is absolutely necessary, they should call ahead to make sure any appointments they do have are still going ahead, and if they are unable to attend appointments, they are encouraged to call and cancel.”

Members of the public are also encouraged to keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet in order to treat minor ailments such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets at home.