EACH year the NHS faces a pressured winter period as it battles against the colder conditions.

Acting as the ‘front door’ for many, no service feels the impact of seasonal injuries and illness more than the emergency department at Wirral’s Arrowe Park Hospital.

In fact, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust – which runs the hospital – has one of the largest emergency departments in the north west.

It has seen more than 92,000 patients through its doors in the last year alone - that's just over 250 patients each day.

While spring may be almost upon us, Arrowe Park's A&E remains as busy as ever, creating a pressured environment for those tasked with treating our health problems.

Ward Sister Hazel Adams is just one of the faces on the emergency front line.

It is down to her to co-ordinate her team so they can react quickly to all major injuries and emergencies that are rushed straight into the hospital's newly-opened resuscitation unit.

She said: “It’s certainly fast‐paced. You’re on a constant adrenaline surge because you’ve got to be one step ahead of whatever is going to come through those doors.

“Last year, we doubled the size of resus from four to eight state‐of‐the‐art bays so we can treat even more of the most unwell and severely injured patients. This is the type of demand we’re now seeing day‐in, day‐out."

Hazel said older and sicker patients create added pressure for not just Arrowe Park but for hospital's across the country.

She added: "They also have more complex health needs which mean additional staffing, greater resources and more specialised care.

“It’s my job to make sure we’re ready and prepared for whatever conditions we see.

“This often means making split second decisions. It’s certainly a job where you have to think quickly on your feet.”

As much as Hazel and the whole team are proud of the work they do, she says it’s really important that the public understands more than ever just what an emergency department is actually for.

She said: “Please take the time out to know what alternatives there are around you so you don’t automatically think it’s a trip to the Emergency Department. Whether it’s your GP, pharmacy or walk‐in centre, Wirral has lots of other ways to get the right care you need.

“We must keep our emergency department free for the patients that really need it. These are the patients that have very serious or life threatening illnesses and injuries. It’s all about being sensible and choosing well.”

If you are unsure whether you need the Emergency Department or not, you could contact NHS 111 by calling 111 on your phone or visit the nhs.uk website for lots of help and advice.