Health chiefs say public support can ease Easter Weekend pressure

They are calling on local people to play their part in helping to ease the expected pressures.

Many GP surgeries and pharmacies across the region will close at the end of the day on Thursday 17 April, and not reopen again until the morning of Tuesday 22 April, which means demand for urgent and emergency care is expected to be higher than usual.

People in need of help, that is not an emergency or life-threatening, are asked to use NHS 111 online for advice on how to treat minor conditions and for help on which service is right for their needs.

Gill May, Chief Nurse Officer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Bank holidays are busier and more challenging for our frontline teams, as more people than usual seek urgent and emergency help for minor health and care issues.

“Our teams working in hospitals and the ambulance service will always be there for those who need them, however, to ensure they are able to help those with emergency and life-threatening needs, people in temporary discomfort from a minor ailment can help by practising self-care to effectively manage their condition at home, or by seeking advice from NHS 111 online on where to go for help.

“We offer our thanks in advance to the public for their support as we approach what is expected to be a very busy Easter period.”

People with friends and family members who are able to be discharged from hospital can also help to ease the pressure on hospitals by offering to take loved ones home or to their place of care.

Providing transport, or getting a person’s house ready for their return, means that patients who are well enough to continue their recovery in a more familiar setting can be discharged sooner, which in turn frees up valuable bed space for new patients.

People with symptoms of highly infectious illnesses including the common cold, flu, Covid-19 and norovirus can help to reduce the spread of infection by staying at home and using NHS 111 online for medical help and advice.

They should also avoid visiting health and care settings until fully recovered to help reduce the possibility of infections spreading.

This advice applies to those who may be planning to visit a friend or family member in a hospital or care home, as well as people attending an outpatient appointment or helping a loved one with their journey home.

Easter opening times for all local pharmacies, including those that will be available on the bank holidays, can be found through the Find a Pharmacy tool on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy.

As well as providing prescriptions, community pharmacies can support people with a range of on-the-spot services, including information on how to manage minor illnesses and advice on how to treat simple symptoms at home.

Pharmacists can now also prescribe antibiotics for seven common conditions, which are sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.

Further information on the services available at local pharmacies can be found online at www.bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth/pharmacies.