'Significant' drop in attendance numbers at L&D Hospital, new data shows

NHS England figures show there were 9,652 A&E attendances at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in March – 3,912 fewer than a year previously - representing a 29% drop.

Across the country, the public has been urged to avoid hospital visits to relatives wherever possible, in order to reduce the spread of the virus.

In England, accident and emergency units were at their quietest for any month on record, dropping to 1.5 million – 29% below the same month a year earlier.

Concerns have been made by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine that the drop could mean people with serious health problems are deliberately avoiding A&E because of coronavirus fears.

President Dr Katherine Henderson said: “The most important thing the public can do at the moment is to stay indoors and follow the Government’s advice.

“But do seek medical help if you need it – don't stay at home with a heart attack out of fear.

“Our emergency departments have specific areas for Covid-19 patients, and we treat other ailments in another part.

“Our healthcare system is still open for business and you will be seen.”

The British Heart Foundation said separate data shows the number of people attending emergency departments across England with symptoms of a possible heart attack halved during March.

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at BHF, urged people to call 999 immediately if they have any symptoms of a heart attack.

She added: “These are uncertain times, and it’s understandable that people might feel apprehensive about having to go to hospital or putting unnecessary strain on the NHS. But heart attacks don’t stop for a global pandemic.

“Don't delay because you think hospitals are too busy – the NHS still has systems in place to treat people for heart attacks and they are still a top priority.”