ACCIDENT and Emergency departments in Bournemouth and Poole have seen thousands fewer patients than usual during the coronavirus crisis.

Figures just released show there were less than 13,000 visits to the two units in March compared with more than 17,000 in the same period last year.

The figures have been released amid fears people with serious health conditions are avoiding hospital during the pandemic.

NHS England figures show there were 6,957 A&E attendances at The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in March – 2,085 fewer than a year previously, a 23 per cent drop.

At Poole Hospital there were 5,693 visits - 2,023 less and a 26 per cent drop on March 2019.

It reflects the picture across England, where accident and emergency departments were at their quietest for any month on record.

Attendances plunged to 1.5 million nationally – 29 per cent below the same month a year earlier.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine says it is concerned the drop could mean people with serious health problems are avoiding A&E, for fear of catching the coronavirus.

President Dr Katherine Henderson said: “The most important thing the public can do at the moment is to stay indoors and follow the Government’s advice.

“But do seek medical help if you need it – don’t stay at home with a heart attack out of fear.

“Our emergency departments have specific areas for Covid-19 patients, and we treat other ailments in another part.

“Our healthcare system is still open for business and you will be seen.”

The British Heart Foundation said separate data shows the number of people attending emergency departments across England with symptoms of a possible heart attack halved during March.

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at BHF, urged people to call 999 immediately if they have any symptoms.

She added: “These are uncertain times, and it’s understandable that people might feel apprehensive about having to go to hospital or putting unnecessary strain on the NHS. But heart attacks don’t stop for a global pandemic.

“Don’t delay because you think hospitals are too busy – the NHS still has systems in place to treat people for heart attacks and they are a top priority.”

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens has launched a drive to persuade the public to seek urgent care and treatment when necessary.

He added: “While NHS staff have pulled out all the stops to deal with coronavirus, they have also worked hard to ensure that patients who don’t have Covid-19 can safely access essential services.

“You should seek help in the way you always would.

“Ignoring problems can have serious consequences – now or in the future.”