Wigan patients will be able to book time slot to attend A&E unit

The enhanced NHS 111 First service will offer time slots in hospital emergency departments for patients with an urgent – but not serious or life-threatening – illness or injury.

It aims to reduce overcrowding and the risk of transmitting coronavirus.

The new approach will be rolled out in phases across the North West. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be the first to trial the scheme from Tuesday, August 25, followed by Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Trust from Tuesday, September 8.

It will be tested and evaluated before being rolled out more widely by all hospital trusts with an emergency department through the autumn.

In the North West approximately 60 per cent of emergency department attendances are self-presenting, walk-in patients and the majority occur during the day and early evening, which has implications for managing social distancing in waiting rooms

Patients who are thinking about going to an emergency department will be asked to contact NHS 111 first instead of walking in unannounced.

The service, in conjunction with local clinical assessment services, will, where appropriate, book them a time slot at an emergency department or may book or direct them to a more appropriate local service, which could be an urgent treatment centre, GP practice or pharmacy.

People who need emergency care should still call 999.

NHS North West medical director Dr David Levy said: “By asking people to contact NHS 111 first and advising them where and when to go, we can more safely manage waiting areas, reducing the potential for crowding and thus significantly lowering the risk of Covid-19 transmission”.

“No patient will be turned away if they self-present at an emergency department but if people contact NHS 111 first when they need urgent care, advice on the best care can be arranged before they have to travel anywhere and often urgent issues can be fully dealt with by telephone or video consultation.

“If a face-to-face consultation is needed it can be arranged there and then, without any further delay meaning patients will know exactly where to go, and when. This will help to ensure safety and reduce waiting times for all patients”.