ATTENDANCES at Macclesfield Hospital’s A&E are back on the rise after a sharp fall when lockdown began.

NHS services around the country have been reminding public that they are still here to help with health concerns as numbers attending hospitals for non-coronavirus issues began to dwindle.

According to figures from NHS England, A&E attendances dropped from 3,746 in February, to 3,088 in March when lockdown began, and then a low of 2,252 during the first full month of lockdown in April.

But the latest figures from NHS England suggest Macclesfield’s A&E is getting busier again, with 3,146 attendances in May – a 40 per cent increase.

This year’s figures are still significantly below attendances in 2019, when there were 4,421 in May, 4,243 in April and 4,196 in March.

In a report presented at the most recent board meeting, John Wilbraham, chief executive at the trust, said: “As the increase in prevalence of Covid-19 has increased attendances to the emergency department have reduced.

Knutsford Guardian:

“It is important to acknowledge that there is an emerging risk for the system linked to patients who may not be accessing the appropriate care and services during the time of the national pandemic.”

A&E departments across England were still 42 per cent less busy in May 2020 than May 2019, and the public is being reminded that they are safe despite the pandemic.

Dr Katherine Henderson, president of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: "Emergency Departments are safe and if you are injured or seriously ill you should go right away.

“If patients have an issue but only have mild non-urgent symptoms it is important to seek help from the right source. Pharmacists, NHS 111 and GPs are all there to provide care.

“By choosing the right service patients can get the help they need while keeping the NHS safe and reducing the risk of further spread of coronavirus."

The NHS figures show emergency admissions at the East Cheshire Trust followed a similar pattern as A&E attendances, rising from 862 in April to 1,013 in May.

In May 2019, there were 1,304 emergency admissions.

Dr Simon Walsh, British Medical Association emergency medicine lead, said: “It’s incredibly worrying to see that patients haven’t been using the NHS as much as expected during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Even though we’re currently battling a virus, it’s important that anyone who still needs our help, knows they can get it.

“Putting off seeing the GP or going to A&E for emergency care at this time can not only cause a backlog in the NHS once people feel more comfortable about seeking help, but can also potentially damage patients’ health, especially those with chronic conditions.

“We appreciate the public being so considerate at this time and really thinking about whether they need to use the NHS, but our principles have not changed – we will be there for anyone who needs us, pandemic or no pandemic.”