Think before you go to A&E this winter. That’s the message from hospital bosses following long delays for patients at the casualty department in Gillingham last year.

Last December and January, Medway Maritime Hospital treated almost 3,000 patients with minor conditions which could have been treated by a GP or pharmacist.

The influx of patients led to long delays for many, including Rainham dad Stewart Fleming.

Mr Fleming died in December 2008, after contracting a virus which attacked his heart. He waited eight hours to see a doctor in A&E, even though he had a letter from his GP asking he be admitted immediately.

The hospital has issued fresh guidelines to help ease pressure on the emergency department this winter.

Jayne Gray, head of nursing at A&E said: “We treat 250 patients at day and while we welcome patients to our department who are ill with life threatening illnesses or injuries, a good proportion of people who come to our department, could have been treated elsewhere such as a pharmacy, one of the minor injuries clinics in Sheppey or Sittingbourne, at their GP or the GP out of hours service.

Audio: Jayne Gray, head of nursing at A&E, warns people to think twice before going to hospital

“The entire community has a role to play in ensuring that A&E operates efficiently. By considering the alternatives before you come to A&E, you can lessen the burden on services.”

Hospital bosses are also warning people to be extra cautious if they have fallen ill with a winter bug.

Ms Gray added: “Attending A&E for things such as coughs, colds or sickness and diarrhoea can actually put other patients and health care providers at risk. The winter vomiting bug is a highly contagious virus which causes diarrhoea and vomiting. It can spread easily through a busy A&E department and, if caught by the elderly or vulnerable, can pose a great threat to their health.

“We are just asking people to think before they come to the accident and emergency department so we are not overrun this winter.”