Health
Noble’s ED Under Strain
Ramsey is open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week
Manx Care is asking people who can to go to Ramsey Cottage Hospital after a spate of admissions of ‘seriously and critically ill patients to Noble’s’ Hospital.
The health provider has begun to implement its plans in order to cope with this demand and ensure it can meet the requirements of everyone who requires emergency healthcare support in the coming days.
As part of these plans, members of the public are asked to go to Ramsey if this is appropriate for their condition over the next 24 hours, and attend the ED at Noble’s only if they need to.
Paul Moore, executive director of nursing and governance, said: ‘Firstly, I would like to reassure members of the public that we are here for them, and would encourage them to choose well with regard to where they seek healthcare support at the moment. If they require urgent and emergency care or treatment at Noble’s Hospital over the next 24 hours, we will be here for them – and I would like to emphasise this.
‘If you require urgent or emergency treatment in the coming hours, please do still come to Noble’s Hospital.
‘However, the reason we are asking people to consider using the Minor Illnesses and Injuries Unit at Ramsey – if it is appropriate for their clinical condition – is that this takes pressure off the urgent and emergency care teams working within Noble’s Hospital, and allows them to be able to focus on those patients who need them most. Every day we see a number of patients in the Emergency Department at Noble’s who could be treated in another clinical setting, such as at Ramsey, by their GP or at a Community Pharmacy, and I would urge anyone who can make their way to Ramsey and be seen by the team there to do this.’
Ramsey is open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, and have the capability to offer an X-Ray service on weekdays between 9am and 5pm.
In addition to the Minor Illnesses and Injuries Unit at Ramsey Cottage Hospital, there are a number of other alternatives too. For example, pharmacies operate the Minor Ailments Scheme and under this, people may be eligible for treatment for a number of conditions including Bacterial Conjunctivitis, inflammatory skin disorders, Impetigo, Shingles, oral and vaginal Thrush, coughs, Gout, exercise-related injuries, constipation, Nappy Rash and UTIs.
