How you can help when our services are busy

As we head into winter, our hospitals and services are starting to experience higher demands, seeing more patients coming into our Emergency Departments at Yeovil Hospital and Musgrove Park Hospital.

We are working closely with our health and care partners across the county, to ensure that patients are cared for in the right place, at the right time.

What you can do to help

Which service should I access?

It is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

For non-urgent care needs, we would encourage you to seek help from NHS 111, before attending our hospital sites. For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can also visit the NHS UK website.

• If you have a life-threatening emergency, our ED is open 24 hours a day

• If you have an urgent medical problem that isn’t a serious or life-threatening emergency and aren’t sure what to do, contact 111 first by phone or online at 111.nhs.uk– they will provide immediate medical advice and direct you to the best care for your needs

• Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) / Minor Injury Units: Attend your local UTC for urgent not life-threatening conditions and injuries such as sprains, fractures and burns. For the latest information on opening hours and services, visit the UTC pages, or call 111.

• Maternity Services: If you become unwell or have any concerns about your heath, including your baby’s movements, we advise you to call us as soon as possible for advice. Our maternity services are open 24/7.

• Pharmacy: Visit your local pharmacy for headaches, upset stomachs, aches and pains. You can find more information about pharmacies in Somerset on the NHS Somerset ICB website.

• GP surgeries: please continue to contact your GP surgery as usual

• Mental health support: Somerset’s Open Mental Health Alliance offers support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – and there really is no wrong door when it comes to accessing mental health support.

• Self-care: Visit NHS 111 online for self-care advice for things like grazed knees, coughs and colds.