‘We’re not just here for coronavirus,’ Chesterfield Royal Hospital boss tells public

Royal bosses say there have been a ‘handful’ of occasions in the last few weeks when older people and children have not been brought to the hospital straightaway – through a combination of wanting to do the right thing to protect the NHS and for fear of contracting Covid-19.

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Angie Smithson, Chesterfield Royal Hospital chief executive, said: “In some respects Covid-19 continues to monopolise our day-to-day work, but that’s not all we are doing.

“It may be the focus on the news, but it’s really important to remember that the NHS is still open for ‘other business’.

“Along with our clinical teams in A&E, I have also been asking our staff to remind their own family and friends that we remain a fully functioning acute hospital.

“We may be working in different ways for aspects of routine work, such as holding telephone consultation appointments with patients, but we are still here to do all we can to ensure that everyone continues to get the right treatment at the right time for the best health outcomes.

“We must also make sure that people aren’t frightened to come to A&E, or feel they can’t ‘bother’ the NHS at this time.

“Time-critical conditions in particular, including possible heart attacks, strokes, injuries with serious blood loss, issues with existing conditions like cancer and choking, need an immediate clinical response.

“As challenging as it is right now, we aren’t just here for coronavirus.

“In partnership with others we continue to look after those with medical and surgical emergencies and life-threatening conditions.

“And our services are set up to keep them safe and protected, so the fear of contracting Covid-19 in hospitals mustn’t prevent anyone from coming forward with other health concerns.

“The two are very much dealt with in isolation across the site.”

Help with medical conditions that don’t need A&E is available on the hospital’s website. There are a range of alternatives including pharmacists, GPs and minor injury units.

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