Midland Metropolitan Hospital 'already feeling winter pressures'
You should only attend A&E for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies
The Midland Metropolitan University Hospital has told us it is already feeling the pressure that comes with winter illnesses.
They are urging people to only use A&E for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies.
Covid, flu and other respiratory illnesses...
Winter is a notoriously busy time for the NHS as it deals with a rise in Covid, flu and other respiratory illnesses.
Recent winter periods have been plagued with reports of long A&E waits, an increase in corridor care and ambulances queuing outside hospitals.
Officials said that the service is predicting "another pressured winter" after figures suggest 2025 is on track to be the busiest on record for A&Es and ambulance services.
'Last winter was challenging'
Michael Brennan, Emergency Department Matron at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, said they were already feeling a pinch:
"We have already seen it start to happen in the last two weeks. Even September 1st we started to see a ramp up in activity quite rapidly.
"Last winter was challenging for us as we are a new building. We moved in during the middle of winter, so we had to pretty much hit the ground running," he said.
'We are all struggling with capacity'
Brennan has this advice: "A&E is not anything and everything, it is accident and emergency. It is really important for people to think about it before they access services.
"You can never say you are ready. I would say we are ready for what we think might come this winter, but you never know what is around the corner.
"Every hospital is in the same boat at the moment, we are all struggling with capacity," he said.
'More to protect the country'
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: "Winter is always tough for the NHS, but this year we're ramping up preparations and doing more to protect the country.
"The single best way you can protect yourself, your family, and the NHS is by getting vaccinated. It takes pressure off hardworking staff and helps ensure care is there for patients when they need it most.
"By preparing together - Government, NHS staff and the public - we can give the health service the best chance to weather the winter ahead."