THE number of people attending A&E in Herefordshire has more than halved as health bosses fears people are not seeking medical advice when they need to.

Figures from the Wye Valley NHS Trust, which runs the county's only emergency department at Hereford County Hospital said attendances during the last four weeks, compared to March 2019, has halved.

Attendances have averaged 88 a day compared to 179 last year.

There has also been 38 per cent fewer patients arriving by ambulance, and a 46 per cent reduction in emergency admissions via A&E compared to the same period in 2019.

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A spokesperson for the Trust said: "Our four wait ED performance has improved by 8.1 per cent to 88.8 per cent.

"While our ED attendances and admissions have reduced since the Covid-19 pandemic, it is very important that people with life threatening illnesses or injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes, don’t delay and ensure they attend the emergency department to receive the right care and treatment.

"For minor illnesses and injuries people are still encouraged to seek advice by ringing their GP surgery, local pharmacy or contacting NHS 111 online www.111.nhs.uk if you need medical help, but is not an emergency.

"If you have symptoms of Covid-19 do not attend hospitals or GP surgeries."

People with coronavirus symptoms, which can include a high temperature and a new, continuous cough, should visit www.111.nhs.uk, or call 999 in an emergency.

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It comes as health bosses in Herefordshire urged residents to still seek medical help, and not to be put off by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG chair Dr Ian Tait said: "We are very concerned that patients may not be accessing the NHS for care because they either don’t want to be a burden or because they are fearful about catching the virus.

“Everyone should know that the NHS is still open for business and it is vitally important that if people have serious conditions or concerns they seek help."

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NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens also warned that delays in getting treatment due to coronavirus fears pose a long term risk to people’s health.