A Wiltshire hospital has announced it is under ‘intense pressure’ and operating at full capacity.
Salisbury District Hospital says it is dealing with a significant number of patients and asks people to consider other options before attending A&E – unless it’s a serious emergency.
A photograph shared by the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust shows a number of ambulances outside the emergency department, which is struggling to cope with the increase in demand.
A Trust spokesperson said: “Salisbury District Hospital is currently under intense pressure. The hospital is full to capacity with a significant number of patients waiting to be discharged home or into alternative care.
“We would like to ask for the community to support us as we work to alleviate the pressure and improve the flow of patients through the hospital.
“If people have a family member waiting to be discharged, please try to respond quickly to calls about their ongoing care at home or in another setting.
“Please avoid attending A&E unless you have a life-threatening illness or severe injury, this will help us prioritise the most urgent and critical patients.
“We would encourage everyone to consider alternatives to A&E for minor illness or injury including the Salisbury Walk In Centre, NHS 111, or your local pharmacy. If you do attend A&E with a non-urgent condition you may need to wait to be seen.
“The hospital remains open. Please do attend all appointments as normal unless directly contacted by the hospital.”
