The local NHS is calling on families across the Beyond Radio district to help get their loved ones home from hospital quicker.
As hospitals and the wider NHS are experiencing a spike in COVID-19 Omicron cases and resulting hospital admissions, lour ocal NHS is calling for families to help get people who no longer need hospital treatment back home.
At present, there are large numbers of patients in hospitals across Lancashire and South Cumbria who no longer need hospital treatment but have not yet been able to leave the hospital for a range of reasons.
With the pressures and demand on services that are being experienced, the NHS is keen to make sure these people get home as soon as possible for their own benefit and that of the wider hospital too.
Andy Curran, A&E clinician and Executive Medical Director for Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership, said: "We know that often, people stay longer in hospital than actually needed. It is best for everyone if as soon as people are medically fit to leave the hospital, they do so. People also recover better in their own home where they are familiar and more comfortable with their surroundings.
“Delays in the process of discharging people from hospital have a massive impact on the capacity available to provide care to those patients who urgently need it and mean we can’t run our hospitals as efficiently as we need to."
In a direct plea to families across North Lancashire and South Cumbria, Mr Curran said: “As we are now directly seeing the impact of the Omicron variant, we really need support from our community to help make sure that only those people who really need to be in hospital are.
“If we can get some of our relatives to come and pick up our patients thirty minutes, an hour, or four hours earlier - it potentially means we can get a patient off the back of an ambulance, thirty minutes to four hours earlier than we would do.
“So, please pick up friends or relatives as soon as we ask you to collect them. While not always able to help, when families are able to, we would ask them to do so as quickly as they can to help others.
"We know people are busy with work, childcare, or other commitments, and it may not be convenient to collect their loved one from hospital when we call, but the quicker we can get someone home, the quicker we can give the bed to another person who really needs it."
People can also can help to reduce pressure on the NHS by continuing to use the most appropriate service and only calling 999 or visiting A&E in a genuine life-threatening emergency, such as a heart attack, suspected stroke or breathing difficulties.
If you need urgent advice you can use the NHS 111 online service or alternatively call 111 if you cannot get online.
NHS 111 can also help if you think you need to visit a minor injury unit to treat broken bones, burns and bites.
Other ways to help include:
- Using your pharmacist for minor conditions such as coughs, colds, ear aches and rashes
- Getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 including taking up the offer to get your booster
- Staying away from hospitals if you have coronavirus symptoms, vomiting or diarrhoea
Friends from Morecambe to take on Ultra Marathon for brave toddler
Firefighters and swim centre team give key water safety message on Morecambe school visit
Police probe after stolen motorbike being ridden dangerously found in Morecambe
Man arrested in Lancaster after bridge jump hoax call
Local hospice wins national award for Will donation campaign
Cash boost for babies and families at Royal Lancaster Infirmary after fundraising at local golf club
Morecambe’s Pride in Place Board give update on West End investment programme
Children's play area in Lancaster opens after £118k revamp
Illegal tobacco and counterfeit clothing seized during raid on Lancaster city centre shop
Lancaster bowling green fundraiser hits target
Six food businesses in Lancaster district fail allergen tests
LISTEN: Stars of Morecambe and Wise stage show can't wait for Eric's 100th birthday
LISTEN: Thousands enjoy Wray Fair finale to annual scarecrow festival
PHOTOS and VIDEO: Incredible sand art on Morecambe beach honours Sir David Attenborough
Row over Morecambe FC debt as ex-directors' firm issues winding-up petition against club
Morecambe Pride handed £3,500 grant boost
North West awards delight for talented stars of Lancaster musicals
Music festival set for Lancaster over Bank Holiday postponed due to ‘ongoing planning’
Lancashire Police Museum in Lancaster celebrates fourth anniversary
Police investigate alleged sexual exploitation at Lancaster flat
