ISLANDERS are being asked to consider visiting a pharmacy or GP if they are suffering from coughs, colds or viruses in order to leave the General Hospital clear to handle genuine emergencies.
Amid a rise in illnesses often reported at this time of year, the Health Department has said that too many people are using the Emergency Department as their first port-of-call.
Health said Islanders should make an appointment with their GP, visit a pharmacy or use the Jersey Doctors on Call (JDOC) out-of-hours service – unless there is a genuine emergency.
Officials hope that a change in behaviour will mean the waiting times at ED will remain manageable, with clinicians able to promptly treat those who have found themselves seriously ill or in an emergency situation.
The JDOC service is operational every day of the year, including weekends and public holidays, providing appointments at the service’s base in the Gwyneth Huelin wing of the Hospital, telephone advice and home visits. Full details of operating hours and fees can be found here.
In a further bid to keep patients safe, a reminder has been issued to anyone considering a visit to friends of relatives in hospital that they should not visit if they have any symptoms of respiratory illness (cough or fever) or have been experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea.
