Significant demand across our services

Over the festive period and into the New Year so far, we’ve seen an extremely high demand on our hospital services, especially in our emergency departments and particularly in Yeovil Hospital.

Like many other hospitals in the region and across the country, we have seen a significant increase in the number of flu and respiratory illness cases.

Colleagues and teams from across the trust have been working exceptionally hard to see and treat our patients as quickly as possible during times of huge demand to provide them with the care and support that they need.

Unfortunately, at times this has inevitably impacted on the experience of some members of the public using our very pressurised emergency departments over the last two weeks.

Patient safety is our top priority and colleagues from across the trust are working together to ensure that we can continue to provide urgent and emergency care for all patients, and to keep as many routine services running as possible.

We are also working closely with our health and care partners across the county, to ensure that patients are able to access the right care in the right place.

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.

We would like to encourage anyone with a non-urgent care need to first 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 - When to go to A&E - NHS

Emergency and life-threatening cases

If you have a life-threatening emergency, our emergency departments at Musgrove Park and Yeovil Hospital are open 24 hours a day.

When coming to A&E, if you can, please try to attend alone, as space is currently very limited in the waiting areas.

Urgent medical problem

NHS 111 – 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

GP surgeries – your GP are open as usual on weekdays, so please continue to contact your GP surgery as you would normally.

Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) / Minor Injury Units (MIUs) – attend your local UTC for urgent, non-life-threatening conditions and injuries such as sprains, fractures and burns. For the latest information on opening hours and services, visit the MIU / Urgent treatment centres (UTC) pages on our website.

NHS Quicker – information on NHS services, opening and waiting times can also be found by downloading the NHS Quicker app. Please note that while the app is a good indication of the options in your area, we advise using our UTC/MIU pages and 111 to check the relevant site is open before travelling.

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.

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.

Routine, common illnesses

Pharmacy – visit your local pharmacy for headaches, upset stomachs, aches and pains. Check pharmacy opening times to find your nearest, open pharmacy.

Self-care – visit NHS Health A-Z online for self-care advice for things like grazed knees, coughs, and colds.

Much like most of the country, Somerset is seeing a high rate of winter viruses such as flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Our colleagues will be wearing masks in our emergency departments and acute medical units to help protect you, as well as the patients they’re caring for.

If you are visiting our sites and you have symptoms of flu, COVID-19 or RSV, please consider not visiting to help prevent the spread of winter illnesses to our vulnerable patients, and to our hard-working colleagues. If you do need to attend and have symptoms please wear a mask which can be found at the entrance to our sites.

You can find more information about healthcare services across Somerset on the NHS Somerset website - NHS Somerset ICB.