NHS Suffolk warned patients not to visit A&E over the Bank Holiday weekend unless they are dying.
The primary care trust said it stood by the message on its website and claimed it had received no complaints about the notice, which read: ‘Do you seriously think you’re dying? If the answer is no, then it’s likely you shouldn’t be at A&E.’
The message went on: ‘Ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend, NHS Suffolk is reminding people that the A&E department of their local hospital is only a place to go for emergencies that could have life-threatening consequences.’
A spokeswoman said: ‘We stand by the sentiment that A&E is for emergencies. The language of the message was too blunt and it has been removed but some people do use A&E inappropriately.’
BMA member Anna Athow responded: ‘It is absolutely outrageous to say you should only come to A&E if you think you are dying.
‘There are lots of very serious conditions when you should come to A&E when you are not going to die in the next five minutes. What about all the patients with appendicitis or fractured limbs. They are not going to die, but they do need treatment.
‘Patients aren’t doctors, if they don’t feel right and they can’t get hold of their out of hours care and their relatives are worried then the right thing to do is to come to A&E.
‘The effect of this message is that people could die, because if they delay when they might have been saved within the golden hour, it can be fatal.’
She concluded: ‘There are massive financial cuts going on in Suffolk and no doubt they want more massive cuts in beds. Statements like this are just putting patients at risk. It is absolutely outrageous.’