NHS bids to bring curtain down on 'Fringe luvvies'

Published on Monday 8 August 2011 12:34

HEALTH bosses have set up a special clinic to cope with a 10 per cent hike in patients when "festival luvvies" clog up casualty.

&#149 NHS chiefs predict a 10 per cent rise in patients during Festival season

NHS Lothian is preparing for around 1000 additional patients to come through the doors of accident and emergency over the next month as the city centre's population doubles.

But it is urging people only to come to Little France if it is absolutely necessary, and has even set up a secret "festival practice" where less serious cases will be diverted through the NHS 24 phoneline.

Ambulance workers say they have already noticed a rise in "unnecessary" call-outs from people involved in the Fringe, both performers and spectators.

&#149 Is it a good idea to put sick Fringe-goers off going to hospital with their woes? Vote here

Last year during August the ERI's casualty department saw 10,000 patients, and even more are predicted this year.

One ambulance source told the Evening News: "It's unlike any other time of year, when the bulk of the work is drunks. It tends to be festival luvvies who dial 999 because they've got a sore tummy."

NHS bosses want people to instead visit the Minor Injuries Unit at the Western General, which almost never has queues and would deal with most complaints, or phone NHS 24. Even community pharmacies would be able to help with many patients who present themselves to casualty at this time of year.

Many pointless A&E visits are made by tourists who are not signed up to a GP in the Capital, and feel they have no other option but to go straight to hospital.

NHS Lothian is already missing Scottish Government-set waiting targets for A&E at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, with that challenge to intensify throughout August.

Dr Dave Caesar, a consultant in emergency medicine for NHS Lothian, said: "Over the past few years we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of patients during August, and this is compounded by the fact that many of them are not based locally.

"We often get tourists turning up who don't know where else to go, but there are other options available to get treatment for less serious injuries and illnesses."

The Scottish Ambulance Service is also gearing up for more call-outs to incidents. They have stopped short of setting up a "field hospital" in town this year, but will have a paramedic permanently going up and down the Royal Mile on a pedal bicycle.

Motorbikes will also be used as a way to weave in and out of the congested central roads.

A spokesman said: "Both the pedal bikes and motorbikes really come into their own at a time like this, because there is so much more traffic on the roads.

"We are well prepared to deal with the increase we will get."

To access services at the special Fringe clinic phone NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.