The NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire is calling for vital public support as it braces itself for what is expected to be the busiest week of the calendar year. Health and care services across the region always see a significant rise in demand during the first week of January, and with this winter season being adversely impacted by high numbers of people catching flu, it’s likely the start of 2026 will be among the most challenging in recent years. To help the local NHS to prioritise those most in need of care urgent care, such as people experiencing chest pains, loss of consciousness or significant bleeding, members of the public are being asked, wherever possible, to choose right. Seeking help from the most appropriate service, while bearing in mind that most seasonal ailments – including mild cases of flu – can be treated at home, will help to ease pressure on hospital emergency departments and ambulance crews, and ensure that patients in a life-threatening condition can be seen without delay. People fortunate enough not to be unwell this January can still play their part in supporting the NHS by practising good hand hygiene, which can help to prevent the spread of flu, norovirus and Covid-19, and helping loved ones home from hospital. Dr Amanda Webb, Chief Medical Officer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Our local NHS runs on a combination of robust planning and sheer resilience, and while we do all we can behind the scenes to keep services running, it’s the support of the public that can turn a very challenging situation into something much more manageable. “There are so many health and care options available now, most of which can be accessed in seconds through either a smartphone or tablet, and we need these to be people’s first port of call whenever it is they feel that help is needed. “By using NHS 111 online, or looking at the extensive health and care advice that’s listed on the NHS website, people can get instant answers to the questions they may have about managing their condition safely and effectively at home. “Both options are available 24/7, and both will always signpost people to in-person help whenever appropriate, so no patients using these will ever fall through the cracks and be left without the care that’s right for them.” NHS 111 online can be accessed at www.111.nhs.uk, while the NHS website can be found at www.nhs.uk.
Similar help for minor injury and illness can also be sought from one of the 130-plus community pharmacies operating across the region, with all sites now back to their usual opening hours following the Christmas and new year period. Pharmacists are highly trained and fully qualified to share practical health and care advice, carry out private consultations, suggest treatment options and, when right to do so, dispense medication, including antibiotics, for a range of common conditions. People in genuine need of urgent or emergency care, such as anyone who finds themselves in a life-threatening situation, should never hesitate from attending the nearest hospital emergency department or dialling 999. For more information on local health and care service, as well as advice on how to stay well during the winter months, visit www.bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth.
