People in Bath are being reminded that hospital services across the local area are set to remain under “extreme pressure” into next week as a result of ongoing industrial action.
Ambulances have recently been queuing at the Royal United Hospital in Bath | Photo © Bath Echo
Strike action by junior doctors began at 7am on Monday 10th April and will continue through to 7am on Saturday 15th April.
Hospital services are expected to remain under intense pressure during the weekend and into the beginning of next week.
Local people are being asked to continue to help by understanding what services are available to them and using them appropriately over the coming days.
Gill May, Chief Nurse at Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board said: “Our colleagues across BSW have been working incredibly hard since the industrial action started on Monday and we expect the resulting pressures on our services to become more challenging each day this strike progresses.
“We would like to thank members of the public for their support over the past few days but we are reminding people that this period of industrial action will continue until Saturday morning and services will be extremely busy over the weekend and into the early part of next week.”
Dr Jon Westbrook, Chief Medical Officer, said: “It’s important that local people know that while our services are busier than usual, and waiting times may be longer, all patients who need our help will be seen by a clinical practitioner.
“It’s also crucial that people only come to hospital if they really need to be here and they are aware that appropriate treatment that better suits their needs can be found through local GP Practices, Pharmacies and other health care services.
“People can also use NHS 111 online if they are not sure what to do, or which service to use. It’s available 24 hours a day, every day.
“For life-threatening emergencies, people should continue to call 999.”
