In our emergency department (ED) at Queen’s Hospital we’ll be focusing our resources on patients who require emergency care on Monday (16 May) – and redirecting patients who do not need to be there.

Patients will be assessed on arrival at the department by a consultant and if they do not require emergency care, they will be redirected to the most appropriate primary care services in the community.

This is the same way our department was run during the recent junior doctors’ strike and meant that services could be focused on the most vulnerable.

Akin Idowu, an ED consultant, said:

“The way the department worked during the junior doctors’ strike was the way it should operate all the time, and allows us to care for those most in need.

“We know that many people come to our EDs when they do not require emergency care. If they went to the right place in the community, it would be much more convenient for them. This trial will allow us to redirect people so they are cared for in the right place.”

Local pharmacies can give advice for more minor ailments, while GPs and walk in centres can also treat people more quickly than going to an ED.

Full information on getting the right care is available on our get the right care page.