Weston General Hospital has temporarily stopped accepting new patients, including into its A&E department, as of 8am on Monday (25th May) due to a high number of patients with Coronavirus.
The hospital – which is used by people across the Burnham-On-Sea area – says it is a “precautionary measure in order to maintain the safety of staff and patients in response to the high number of patients with Coronavirus in the hospital.”
It adds that the decision to take this step has been “clinically-led, and is supported by partners across the wider Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) health and care system.”
Arrangements are in place for new patients to continue to have access to treatment and care in other appropriate healthcare settings in the area should they need it.
Dr William Oldfield, medical director at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “As with any hospital, the number of patients with COVID-19 will frequently change as people are admitted and discharged.”
“We currently have a high number of patients with COVID-19 in Weston General Hospital. Whilst the vast majority will have come into the hospital with COVID-19, as an extra precaution we have taken the proactive step to temporarily stop accepting new patients to maintain patient and staff safety.”
“This is a clinically-led decision and we are being supported by our system partners to ensure that new patients receive the care and treatment they need in the appropriate setting, and we are continuing to provide high quality care to existing patients who are being treated in the hospital.”
“We have a robust Coronavirus testing programme in place for patients and staff to identify cases quickly, with appropriate measures taken by clinical teams as required. We will keep the situation under constant review.”
Alternative services include:
GP Practices: The Out of Hours GP service is available during evenings and weekends and can be arranged through the NHS111 service. Please contact NHS 111 at any time using 111.nhs.uk or call 111. Information about access to GP surgeries during normal hours can be found online.
Urgent care services: The Minor Injuries Units in Clevedon and Yate, and Urgent Treatment Centre in South Bristol offer fast, walk-in treatment for minor injuries such as cuts, sprains and broken bones. Units are available from 8am to 8pm on each day. For further information, see the Sirona care & health website at www.sirona-cic.org.uk
Pharmacies: Full pharmacy opening hours for the Bank Holiday will be available on the NHS website or the find a pharmacy tool.
NHS111: NHS111 is available 24 hours a day at 111.nhs.uk
