Patients who visit emergency departments or urgent care centres in East Lancashire and are referred back to their GPs are being reassured this is normal practice.
The high number of people who are turning up at the emergency department and urgent care centres in East Lancashire has increased pressure on these services.
Senior doctors in East Lancashire are advising the public that if they turn up to the emergency department in Blackburn or the two urgent care centres in Burnley or Blackburn with problems or symptoms that hospital staff think would be better treated by their GP they may be advised to contact their GP practice to make an appointment.
This type of assessment takes place all the time, and is normal practice for those problems that are better treated in primary care by GPs and their staff. Patients will only be re-directed to their GP or if out of normal surgery hours, the GP out of hours service following a full assessment - known as triage - of their condition.
If in doubt, contact NHS Direct either online www.nhs.uk - or by phone 0845 46 47, ask your local pharmacist or see your GP.
Seasonal flu and colds are on the increase throughout the UK, and East Lancashire has seen a big rise in the numbers attending its emergency department and urgent care centres and calling GP out of hours with symptoms. The number of calls to GP out of hours services from people who mainly have cold symptoms mean that people who are seriously ill and need treatment may struggle to get through on the phone.
Dominic Harrison, Director of Public Health for Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus, said normally healthy adults should stay at home and combat their flu and cold symptoms with over-the-counter remedies from the pharmacist, rather than going to hospital or calling their GP. By attending GP surgeries and emergency departments patients risk passing illness to vulnerable people.
He said: "We always see a rise in flu and colds at this time of year. Flu and the common cold are viral illnesses and the first line of treatment is rest, paracetamol and fluids. This advice is also available on the NHS Choices website and by calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. However, children under five with flu like symptoms should be seen by a health care professional.
"For the majority of normally health adults who catch the flu, it will be unpleasant and inconvenient, but they will begin to feel better within four to five days. If symptoms are not getting better, patients should call their GP for further advice, but again they should not visit the surgery, as they risk passing on their infection to vulnerable people. If you need to pick up medication, including anti-virals, ask a friend, family member or neighbour to pick them up for you.
"People with chronic lung, heart, liver, kidney or neurological problems, with weakened immune systems, over-65s and pregnant women can become seriously ill with flu and it's recommended they have a flu jab
as soon as possible. They should telephone their GP if they think they have flu-symptoms."
