People suffering with flu-like symptoms are being asked to consider alternatives to A&E after a rise in admissions for the virus increased pressure on the service.

There has been a rise in the number of flu admissions across Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, which covers Birmingham’s Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield and Solihull Hospital, over the last few days.

The A&E department at Heartlands was under extreme pressure on Thursday night with an increase in admissions and ambulance attendances and there are currently visiting restrictions on some wards at the East Birmingham hospital because of flu.

With the winter vomiting bug norovirus also currently in the community, people served by all three hospitals are being urged not to visit A&E with flu or norovirus as it can’t be treated in hospital and the best advice is to stay home and ‘keep warm’.

Dr Ola Erinfolami, clinical director of the Emergency Department at Heartlands Hospital, said: “As with the rest of the region we are seeing increased attendance at our A&E departments and the addition of patients suffering from flu and norovirus not only exacerbates that situation but also increases the risk of those viruses being spread within the hospital.

“Antibiotics are of no use in the treatment of flu because it is caused by a virus and not by bacteria. For the majority of patients the best remedy is to rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. You can take paracetomol or ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches. If you are worried, NHS 111 can be called for urgent medical help or advice.”

“We would also encourage anyone classed as vulnerable to flu – i.e. those over 65, those who are pregnant and those who suffer from chronic chest and heart diseases or diabetes – who have not yet had their free flu vaccine, get in touch with their GP to set up an appointment and help prevent the spread of the virus.”

With winter pressures beginning to take their toll on hospital admissions, we have been asking people to think twice as to whether they really need to go to A&E, or if they would get more appropriate treatment at another NHS facility.

Please do remember that:

• We need to make sure that we keep our Emergency Departments for those that really need them and are suffering with life-threatening and emergency conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, breathing problems and serious accidents.

• Walk-in centres can treat minor accidents such as cuts, sprains and rashes that don’t require emergency treatment. They will still be seen and treated by a doctor or nurse, with no appointment required.
• Pharmacies can help give advice and over the counter remedies for diarrhoea, minor infections, headaches, coughs, colds and flu.
• NHS 111 can be called for urgent medical help or advice, if it’s not a life-threatening situation.

Choosing the right NHS service will not only help ease the pressure on hospitals in the region, but may also result in quicker treatment.

Local walk-in centres include: Cannock Chase Treatment Centre, Cannock, Sir Robert Peel Hospital, Tamworth, B78 3NG;WS11 5XY; Walsall Walk-in Health Centre, WS1 1QZ ; Warren Farm Urgent Care Centre Walk in Service, Warren Farm Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham, West Midlands, B44 0PU; Washwood Heath Urgent Care Centre, Washwood Heath Health Centre, Erdington Health and Wellbeing Walk-in Centre, High Street, Erdington, B23 6SJ, and Clodeshall Road, Saltley, B8 3SN.

You can find a symptom checker and information about local NHS services at www.nhs.uk