Members of the public are being urged to support hospitals and health services in the region this weekend, as the late May bank holiday adds extra pressure on staff.
With demand for urgent and emergency care services already very high, a surge in bank holiday-related activity could lead to patients experiencing longer waiting times and hospitals struggling to admit those most in need of ward-based care.
Actions local people can take to help mitigate the expected impact felt by local hospitals include:
- Helping family and friends who are ready to leave hospital with their journey home
- Using other health and care services, such as NHS 111 and community pharmacies, for minor conditions
- Only attending hospital emergency departments or calling 999 for genuine, life-threatening emergencies
- Not visiting hospital when feeling unwell or showing symptoms for flu, Covid-19 or norovirus
Dr Steve Haig, Emergency Department Consultant, said: “The local healthcare system is currently very busy, and we expect our services to face even higher demand over the bank holiday.
“Our frontline teams will be working hard to make sure everyone receives the care they need, especially people who are very seriously ill, but to do this we must ensure that beds are available.
“People can help us by collecting loved ones quickly when they are ready to leave hospital, and ensuring the home is ready for their return, which will help us free up beds for other patients who need admitting to hospital for their care.”
To help reduce the spread of infection, people feeling unwell and showing symptoms for contagious infections, such as flu, norovirus and Covid-19, should not visit hospital, even if it is to see friends and family, or help with a patient’s journey home.
Dr Haig said: “People who become unwell or injured this weekend should consider accessing appropriate healthcare outside of hospital, which could be through the NHS 111 website, a minor injuries unit or a local pharmacy, most of which can now treat many minor conditions, as well as prescribe medication, including antibiotics.”
People can find out which of the pharmacies near them are open on Monday 26 May by using the Find a Pharmacy tool at www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy.
Dr Barry Coakley, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “The actions of local people really do make a difference during the busiest times, and we thank our communities for once again getting behind their NHS.
“Choosing the right service at the right time helps to ensure our emergency services are available for those most in need when they need them.”
More information on local health and care services, including those that will be open across the bank holiday weekend, can be found online at www.bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth.
