1 November 2020
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine, which speaks for those working in Emergency Departments, wishes to make clear that despite some reports, Emergency Departments remain open for all ill and injured patients and have systems for safely looking after people with suspected COVID-19.
We welcome the national lockdown as previous measures to control the virus were not having sufficient impact. Therefore there was a risk that in the coming weeks the pressure on the NHS would rise to levels that would make it very difficult to deliver non Covid care such as cancer treatments and elective surgery.
We want to make it clear that patients who have medical emergencies should not hesitate to come to Emergency Departments. If patients are concerned and are not clear if their symptoms represent an emergency, they should call NHS 111 by dialling 111.
