Warning as Salisbury District Hospital 'under intense pressure'
Don't come to A&E unless it's life-threatening or a severe injury
Last updated 21st Oct 2022
Demand is so high at Salisbury District Hospital it's asking people not to use A&E unless it's a life-threatening illness or severe injury.
Hospital bosses say they're full to capacity with a significant number of patients waiting to be seen in the A&E department and to be discharged home or into alternative care.
A statement from the hospital posted on social media says:
"We would like to ask for the community to support us as we work to alleviate the pressure and improve the flow of patients through the hospital. If people have a family member waiting to be discharged, please try to respond quickly to calls about their ongoing care at home or in another setting.
Please avoid attending A&E unless you have a life-threatening illness or severe injury, this will help us prioritise the most urgent and critical patients."
We would encourage everyone to consider alternatives to A&E for minor illness or injury including the Salisbury Walk In Centre, #NHS111, or your local pharmacy. If you do attend A&E with a non-urgent condition you may need to wait to be seen."
The hospital is keen to reassure you it is still open.
If you have a pre-arranged appointment, they still want you to attend as normal, unless you've been contacted directly by the hospital with other instructions.