Watford Hospital accident and emergency re-opens to adult patients with minor ailments

The temporary suspension of treatment of adult patients with minor ailments at Watford Hospital’s accident and emergency department has now been lifted.

Yesterday (Tuesday), people were advised to go elsewhere for treatment, including St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead Hospitals, because of unprecedented demand in the post-holiday period.

And this morning, West Herts Hospitals Trust said: “To ensure our emergency care team are able to treat seriously unwell patients, we have taken the decision to continue the suspension of the adults’ service for minor ailments at Watford Hospital until 3pm this afternoon.”

But in a further statement today, issued at 4.30pm, the trust said that adults with minor ailments will now be seen again at A&E at Watford.

It warned, however, that the adults’ accident and emergency department “remains extremely busy”.

The statement went on: “Children’s and maternity services remain unaffected.

“We encourage all adult patients whose conditions are not likely to be life-threatening to consider visiting our Urgent Care Centre at Hemel Hempstead (open 24/7) or the Minor Injuries Unit at St Albans (open 9am-8pm) Hospitals.”

The trust also urged local people to consider consulting their GP, their local pharmacy or ring NHS 111 for advice.

Alternatively, they should visit the NHS Choices website to search for services such as local GPs or pharmacies.