NURSING chiefs stress they won't turn anyone away from emergency departments within East Cheshire hospitals under a new initiative aimed at screening patients with "urgent" health concerns.

Under NHS 111 First - which was launched at hospitals across Cheshire today (Tuesday) - people are being urged to go online and make contact with the service before deciding to take a trip to A&E.

The national programme is aimed at improving the way people access services by ensuring they receive the right care in the most appropriate setting first time, while relieving the burden on emergency departments during the pandemic.

NHS 111 is now able to book a time slot for attendance at an emergency department or, if appropriate, support people to access alternative services.

By receiving a timed appointment in the emergency department when they need one it will reduce the time patients spend in waiting rooms and help minimise the risk of spreading Covid-19.

Seif Ahmad, Emergency Department Service Lead at Leighton Hospital, said: "Nobody is going to be turned away from our emergency department but, so we can avoid a lot of people arriving at the same time, if you have an urgent, but not emergency, health issue then contact NHS 111 to find out where you should be treated and when.

"If it is decided you should go to the emergency department, by giving you an appointment slot we can see and treat you more quickly and safely maintain social distancing in our waiting room to protect you from the risk of Covid-19 as well as seasonal illnesses like flu and colds."

Currently, 60 per cent of A&E attendances in the North West are unannounced, "walk-in" patients with the majority arriving during the day and early evening.

Health chiefs says the new system now in operation at all three of Cheshire's hospital trusts - Mid Cheshire Hospitals, The Countess of Chester and East Cheshire, which runs Congleton War Memorial Hospital - will improve patient experience and prevent crowding in emergency departments.

They stress people with life-threatening conditions or those that need emergency attention should still call 999.

David Coyle, Chief Operating Officer at The Countess of Chester Hospital, says NHS 111 First is about giving patients "faster and easier access" to care.

"If it is decided, following assessment by a trained clinician, that going to A&E is the right thing to do then an appointment slot can be provided," said the hospital chief.

"This will help us to better maintain safety by ensuring social distancing in our A&E waiting area, while also speeding up triaging and the initial assessment processes.

"Everyone who attends A&E, whether they contacted NHS 111 first or not, will be initially assessed, directed to the appropriate place and/or treated by our teams and they can expect the same high-quality care as always."

Simon Goff, Chief Operating Officer at East Cheshire NHS Trust, which also runs Macclesfield District General Hospital, said: "NHS 111 first will deliver improved outcomes for patients by helping them access the right service at the right time. In order to keep you safe, we must maintain social distancing and carefully manage the number of people in our emergency department at any one time.

"All patients who need a 'blue light' response will still receive one and no patient will be turned away if they come to an emergency department without calling 111 first."

In addition to the free NHS 111 phone line, NHS 111 can also be contacted online here.