As hospitals across Swindon, Wiltshire Bath and North East Somerset brace for the busy festive period, a simple request has been made to the families and friends of patients: help get loved ones home for Christmas.
During the Christmas and New Year season, hospitals such as the Great Western Hospital, Royal United Hospital in Bath, and Salisbury District Hospital often experience a surge in patient numbers. For those who are well enough to leave, getting home can sometimes be delayed due to lack of transport or an unprepared living environment.
To ease the pressure on the region’s hospitals and help free up vital bed space for patients in need of urgent care, hospital staff are asking loved ones to assist by arranging transport home, collecting prescriptions, and ensuring the patient’s home is ready for their return.
Miss Sarah Richards, Acting Chief Medical Officer for the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted the importance of this community support. “No one wants to stay in hospital longer than necessary, especially over Christmas, when they could be home with family and friends. If a loved one is well enough to leave, please speak to ward staff to see how you can help them continue their recovery at home,” she said.
By ensuring that those ready to leave hospital are able to do so promptly, patients in urgent need can be accommodated, relieving some of the seasonal pressure hospitals face.
At the same time, the message is clear: if you’re feeling unwell or showing symptoms of flu, norovirus, or Covid-19, please refrain from visiting the hospital, even to collect a loved one. This is especially important during the winter months when easily spreadable viruses can further strain the system.
While many patients will be heading home for Christmas, others may require additional help to settle in after their hospital stay. Checking in on friends, relatives, and neighbours during the first few days of their return can aid in their longer-term recovery.
For those arranging prescriptions, it is worth noting that many pharmacies will operate under reduced hours during the festive period, with closures on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. The NHS website provides a useful tool for locating open pharmacies over the holidays: NHS Find a Pharmacy.
Additionally, a selection of helpful advice videos is available to assist those caring for loved ones after a hospital discharge. These can be viewed online at BSW Together.
To find further details about local health and care services during the festive season, visit the BSW Integrated Care Board.
