'Extremely high numbers' at Watford General A&E amid heatwave

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has reminded patients to call 111 first to get advice on appropriate treatment, rather than heading straight to Watford General's A&E.

It comes as the Met Office warned exceptional heat over the next two days will pose a risk to life and wider infrastructure.

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Stay #WeatherAware during this hot weather☀️

Don’t leave babies, children, older people or vulnerable people or pets alone in stationary cars in hot weather 🌡️#BeatTheHeat pic.twitter.com/n5CIzWH2aJ

— West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS (@WestHertsNHS) July 18, 2022

A spokesperson for West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We are experiencing extremely high numbers of attendances to our emergency department and urge people to help us to help them by continuing to access our services appropriately, attend appointments, and by contacting NHS 111 for urgent care so that they can be directed to the best local service for them.

The @MetOffice has issued a red warning of extreme heat for our region.
Keep cool in this hot weather. If you or others feel unwell, get dizzy, feel weak, anxious or have intense thirst, move to a cool place, rehydrate and cool your body down 🚰#BeatTheHeat #heatwave pic.twitter.com/l5MSytdR2q

— West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS (@WestHertsNHS) July 18, 2022

“Always call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.”

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