HULL Royal Infirmary is under critical pressure today after an influx of seriously-ill patients and an outbreak of a winter vomiting bugs on five wards.
Hospital bosses have issued a "purple alert" to staff, warning the hospital is operating at "critical" Level 5, one below the most serious "black", or Level 6 alert, which warns the hospital is at risk of "potential service failure".
Now, they are pleading with the walking wounded to seek help from the GP walk-in centre in Story Street, Hull, as well as minor injuries units and pharmacies, instead of turning up at the HRI Emergency Department.
Chief Operating Officer Jacqueline Myers said: "To ensure we can concentrate on the very sickest and most vulnerable patients, we would ask for everyone's cooperation at this time and urge people to explore local alternatives for healthcare advice and treatment before deciding to come to hospital."
While there has been a sharp rise in the number of seriously-ill patients requiring admission to wards, the hospital is also struggling to cope with the number of people turning up with minor ailments and injuries.
An outbreak of the winter vomiting bug Norovirus has also led to admission restrictions across five wards, meaning those beds are out of action for patients in desperate need of a bed.
Anyone experiencing either of the bugs is being asked to call their GP for advice first before heading to the hospital, while anyone due to attend a routine appointment at HRI with symptoms of a stomach bugs is being urged to call the hospital before their visit.
Ms Myers said there has been a peak in demand over the past 24 hours.
She said: "A high number of these people are actually people who have multiple or complex illnesses and so need to be in hospital.
"However, there are still people who are coming to the Emergency Department who could have been helped more appropriately elsewhere and this can have a significant impact in that it potentially risks diverting resources from people who urgently need them.
"Our staff continue to do their very best to treat and care for all of those people coming in under very difficult circumstances."
The hospital management is now working with GPs across Hull and the East Riding and other NHS organisations, such as Humber Foundation Trust and City Health Care Partnership, in an attempt to care for patients at home.
Alternatives to HRI include Bransholme Minor Injury Unit, currently open from 9am to 8pm, and Story Street Walk-in Centre, within Wilberforce Health Centre in Hull city centre, which is open from 8am to 8pm every day of the year.
People in need of medical advice can also visit the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk or call the 24-hour telephone helpline 111.
Pharmacies open on New Year's DayHengate Pharmacy: Manor Road Health Centre, Beverley, HU17 7BZ, from 11am to noon. Call 01482 868208.
Bridlington late-night pharmacy: 86 The Promenade, Bridlington YO15 2QL, from 9am to 9.30pm. Call 01262 400070.
Lloyds Pharmacy: Unit 6, Welton Road, Brough, HU15 1LZ, from 10am to 2pm. Call 01482 667371.
Coggrave Chemist: 86 Boothferry Road, Goole, DN14 6AD, from noon to 1pm. Call 01405 763282.
Stephen Bowling Dispensing Chemist: 85 Newbegin, Hornsea, HU18 1PA, from 11am to noon. Call 01964 532066.
East Riding Pharmacy: 16-20 St Augustine's Gate, Hedon, HU12 8EX, from 10am to 4pm. Call 01482 898973.
Asda Pharmacy: Bilton, Hull, HU11 4AL, from 10am to 4pm. Call 01482 818810.
Asda Pharmacy: Kingswood Retail Park, Hull, HU7 4HS, from 10am to 4pm. Call 01482 370810.
Asda Pharmacy: Mount Retail Park, Hull, HU9 2AH, from 10am to 4pm. Call 01482 483800.
Asda Pharmacy: Hessle Road, Hull, HU3 4PE, from 10am to 4pm. Call 01482 596610.
Lloyds Pharmacy: 253 Anlaby Road, Hull, HU3 2SE, from 10am to 4pm. Call 01482 211121.
Lloyds Pharmacy: 304 Marfleet Lane, Hull, HU9 5AQ, from 10am to 4pm. Call 01482 781825.
Sainsbury's Pharmacy: Sainsbury's Way, Hull, HU13 9EJ, from 10am to 5pm. Call 01482 562204.
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