Renewed calls for responsible healthcare choices in Wiltshire
Health services are experiencing increased demand in early 2025
Wiltshire's health bosses are renewing calls for us to make sure we're choosing the right health care treatment option.
The call comes from the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSWICB), in a bid to ease what they say is 'extreme pressure' on frontline NHS staff.
The BSWICB adds that all the county's health services and the area's trio of hospital's are experiencing increased demand in the early days of 2025.
A growing number of Flu cases is continuing to cause problems.
Gill May, Chief Nurse, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “The first two weeks of any new year are always a very difficult time for the NHS, and
the beginning of 2025 is no exception.
“Our teams on the frontline put in a stellar shift over the busy festive period, missing out on time with family and friends in order to provide care to others, and we now all need to get behind them and show our support in whatever way we can.
“Choosing right, by practising self-care, visiting a pharmacy or using NHS 111 online, not only allows our teams to focus on caring for those most in need, but also helps the individual to get any help needed much quicker.
“This is a challenging time for everyone involved in health and care, but I can honestly say that the support we get from our local communities really does help and really does make an enormous difference, especially now, which is when we need it most.”
We're being encouraged to use GPs, pharmacies and to use NHS 111 online to get health and care advice.
The seven conditions pharmacists can prescribe for are sinusitis, sore throats, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, which is a contagion skin infection, shingles and urinary tract infections in women.
More information on pharmacies, as well as all other local health and care services, can be found at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk.