VISITS to Accident and Emergency at Russells Hall Hospital plummeted by 40% over a four week period from March to April, figures have revealed.

The drop comes as hospital chiefs are concerned people experiencing life-threatening conditions, such as chest pain and suspected strokes, may not be visiting hospital to receive the care they need.

Nationally, it is believed fear over contracting Covid-19 is causing people to avoid visiting hospital, leading to fears lives could be put at risk.

A summary report of the most recent meeting of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, shows visitor numbers dropped by more than 600 over four weeks in March and April.

Figures from the meeting show 1,666 people attended A&E in the week commencing March 9. This figure dropped to 1,290 the following week, then fell to 1,110 people, before dropping further to 1,009 people over the following week.

Admission then fell below 1,000 people in the week commencing April 6 to just 987 people attending the Accident and Emergency at the Dudley hospital.

The report states emergency visits dropped by 50% in comparison with the same period last year.

It reads: "Emergency Department attendances at the Trust were almost 50% down when compared to the same period in the previous year. Concerns across the sector have been raised that those with chest pain, suspected stroke and other life threatening conditions may not be accessing healthcare as needed.

"This had prompted a local and national public messaging campaign to encourage people to come forward."

The falling attendance number has resulted in the Emergency department performing well for the national four hour waiting standard, with patients who do attend the department being seen more quickly.

The meeting notes state the department came 4th out of 20 departments in the Midlands and ranked 24th in the country for waiting time performance as of April 15.

Hospital chiefs are stressing however that people should not hesitate to visit A&E if they need to.

Diane Wake, chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It is really important that people continue to seek our help when they need to, and are not put off from coming to hospital. We remain fully open for those who need us in an emergency and have measures in place to keep them safe.

"Please come to hospital if you genuinely need us – not seeking help could put your health, and indeed your life, at risk."