The NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire is reaching out to local residents, urging them to contribute to alleviating pressure on health services during the upcoming festive season.
Traditionally a busy period for the NHS, the Christmas and New Year period is expected to face heightened demand for urgent and emergency care, further compounded by two periods of industrial action.
Dr Amanda Webb, Chief Medical Officer of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, emphasises the significance of public support during this challenging time. While meticulous planning is in place, the cooperation of the public is crucial to ensuring that healthcare teams can focus on those most in need.
To assist in this effort, individuals are encouraged to consider practical actions, such as supporting loved ones in their discharge from the hospital, visiting pharmacies for minor health concerns, and exploring digital healthcare options like NHS 111. Dr Webb stresses the importance of making informed healthcare choices, enabling urgent and emergency care services to remain available for individuals facing life-threatening situations.
Dr Webb states, “By choosing the right healthcare option, such as NHS 111, or by carefully treating a minor illness at home, people will be helping to keep our urgent and emergency care services free for anyone unfortunate enough to be caught in a life-threatening situation.”
Supporting a loved one’s journey home from a hospital ward, providing transportation, and arranging for essential medicines and groceries are identified as vital actions that can ease the pressure on local hospitals.
In a proactive move, over a dozen pharmacies across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire will be open on Christmas Day, offering urgent medication, healthcare advice, and guidance on managing minor illnesses or injuries. Additional sites will be accessible on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, with pharmacy staff providing private consultations and suggesting suitable treatment options.
NHS 111, available both online and over the phone (111), offers another avenue for individuals seeking guidance. More information on how to use NHS 111, along with the Christmas and New Year opening times for pharmacies in the region, can be found at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk.
The NHS encourages a level-headed approach to enjoying the festive season, coupled with informed healthcare choices, to make a positive difference for the dedicated NHS staff working tirelessly during Christmas and New Year.
