SIGNIFICANT demand continues to be faced by emergency departments in Dumfries and Galloway – as Scotland copes with some of the worst winter pressures on record.
Staff are continuing to work tirelessly to address ongoing demand on hospital services, with a high number of patients being seen in emergency departments and also being admitted directly into Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary’s (DGRI) brand new Combined Assessment Unit (CAU).
Medical director Dr Kenneth Donaldson said: “We have still to see a drop-off in the very high levels of patients requiring treatment, with a large number still suffering respiratory issues connected with the flu and also frail, elderly patients.
“We are therefore extremely grateful to our incredible members of staff, who are continuing to ensure patients receive a very high quality level of care in very testing circumstances.
“We would also like to thank the public for taking on board requests to consider the best, most appropriate first point of contact when seeking help. But we would also advise anyone who does come to the Emergency Department and CAU to anticipate potentially lengthy delays, depending on the priority of their circumstances.”Dr Donaldson added: “We have seen a drop in people visiting the Emergency Department at DGRI in Dumfries, but this is due in large part to more patients being admitted directly to the Combined Assessment Unit as part of the new hospital structure – and many of these patients still require urgent care.
“In addition, many of those now coming to the Emergency Department are the most serious cases, requiring considerable attention.
“We’d therefore ask people to continue supporting our efforts, and encourage them to consider the best first point of contact for help, and think, ‘Pharmacy First!’”
Nationally, Scotland has been dealing with five times the number of flu cases as seen this time last year. And the Scottish Government’s Unscheduled Care Team has acknowledged that DGRI in Dumfries has faced unprecedented demands almost immediately since the new £213 million hospital opened in December, and that staff would benefit from a break in the seasonal pressures.
As a result of ongoing demands, a handful of non-urgent elective surgical procedures at DGRI have been put on hold today, as well as some medicine clinics such as cardiology and diabetes to allow the consultants to see the increased number of inpatients. All affected patients have been informed of the moves.
