Hospitals in Swindon and Wiltshire Appeal for Public Help During Bank Holiday

Strategic Insights -

As the late May bank holiday approaches, hospitals across Swindon and Wiltshire are bracing themselves for increased demand on their already busy frontline teams. The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) has issued a plea for public help to ease the pressure on urgent and emergency care services. The appeal comes as hospital waiting times are expected to rise, and patients may face difficulties in accessing ward-based care.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BSW ICB has asked the public to help by collecting family and friends who are ready to leave hospital, reducing the strain on available beds.
  • The public is advised to use NHS 111 and community pharmacies for minor conditions, rather than visiting emergency departments or calling 999 for non-life-threatening emergencies.
  • People are urged not to visit hospital when feeling unwell or showing symptoms of flu, Covid-19, or norovirus, to minimize the risk of transmission and reduce hospital admissions.
  • Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's emergency department consultant, Dr Steve Haig, appeals to people to collect loved ones quickly when they are ready to leave hospital, ensuring beds are available for patients in need of admission.
  • The BSW ICB's deputy chief medical officer, Dr Barry Coakley, emphasizes the importance of choosing the right service at the right time, ensuring that emergency services are available for those who need them most.
  • The public can find open pharmacies near them on May 26 using the Find a Pharmacy tool on the NHS website.
  • More information on local health and care services is available on the BSW Together website.

Statistics:

  • The late May bank holiday is expected to put extra pressure on hospitals, with increased demand for urgent and emergency care services.
  • Hospital waiting times may rise, and patients may encounter difficulties in accessing ward-based care.
  • The use of NHS 111 and community pharmacies for minor conditions can help reduce the burden on emergency departments and hospital admissions.
  • Over the bank holiday weekend, people are urged to consider accessing healthcare services outside of hospital, such as through the NHS 111 website, minor injuries units, or local pharmacies.

Sources:

  • BSW ICB (Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board)
  • Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • NHS (National Health Service, UK)
  • BSW Together (local health and care services information)