\n The Swindon hospital’s urgent and emergency care teams are reportedly handling an average of 400-450 patients a day according to local GPs\u2014which is well above the usual average of 270 to 300.\n<\/p>\n
\n The surge in demand has led to long waits for care, prompting renewed calls for the public to consider other healthcare options for minor illnesses.\n<\/p>\n
\n A spokesperson for the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says the longer waiting times are now having a knock-on effect on patients, resulting in frustration and distress.\n<\/p>\n
\n Swindon’s Great Western Hospital has been busier than ever (Image: Great Western Hospital.)\n<\/p>\n
\n “Some patients might be waiting longer than we would like in our urgent and emergency care services, whilst our staff prioritise those in a more serious condition,” said a spokesperson for the Swindon hospital.\n<\/p>\n
\n “This can cause patients to become frustrated and distressed, and we recognise the difficulties that come with long waits, impacted recently by hot weather too, and are doing all we can to see and treat every patient as quickly as possible.\n<\/p>\n
\n “We want to urge local people to think really carefully about whether you could receive healthcare in a different setting, including via a pharmacist or at a Minor Injury Unit, which can provide immediate clinical care and any medication you might need.”\n<\/p>\n
\n The trust has also reported incidents of physical abuse directed at staff during the recent surge.\n<\/p>\n
\n The spokesperson added: “Sadly, this means our staff have experienced verbal and physical abuse in recent days, as they work hard to maintain services during the heat.\n<\/p>\n
\n Hospital staff are facing increased abuse (Image: Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n “We stand by our staff, and this behaviour is never acceptable.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Our staff are here to look after you, but they need you to look after them in turn.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Abuse towards NHS staff is never okay.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Heat-related conditions have contributed to the rise in patient numbers, with some seeking care for minor issues that could be treated elsewhere.\n<\/p>\n
\n Westrop Medical Practice in Highworth is now among those urging patients to consider calling 111, using the Pharmacy First scheme or contacting their GP before attending hospital.\n<\/p>\n
\n With temperatures expected to rise again, the practice has also asked those with existing health conditions to take steps to stay well.\n<\/p>\n
\n Advice includes keeping cool, staying hydrated, and checking in on vulnerable friends and family.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Swindon hospital’s urgent and emergency care teams are reportedly handling an average of 400-450 patients a day…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":679405,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[102,2960,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-679404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-healthcare","tag-health","tag-healthcare","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679404","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=679404"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679404\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/679405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=679404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=679404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=679404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}