Don't put off seeking medical help this Easter

Health leaders are offering reassurance that while services remain extremely busy, parents should not think twice about using urgent and emergency healthcare services when their child becomes ill or has a serious accident.

The advice is also extended to adults – particularly those who are elderly – who may be in need of urgent medical attention.

Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“The current advice to stay at home is massively important and something we all need to be following, but we want to be clear that no parent should put off seeking help for their little one if they need urgent care.

“Although we are all spending more time indoors, accidents still happen and children still become ill – just as they did before the coronavirus outbreak.

“Children usually bounce back from minor illness and minor injuries quickly, but for those times when it could be something more serious, please act quickly – as you usually would – to avoid the situation worsening.”

The Great Western Hospital in Swindon, the Royal United Hospital in Bath and Salisbury District Hospital each have a round-the-clock Emergency Department, all of which remain open as usual for the most serious health concerns, such as broken bones, heavy bleeding and loss of consciousness.

This will not change over the Easter weekend and, in addition, GP surgeries will also be open according to their usual working hours.

People with concerns about the health of a baby, child or adult, should use the NHS 111 service, either online or by telephon