Dorset health services 'experiencing exceptional demand'

There's a plea from Dorset's health bosses for us to help them cope with 'exceptional demand and seasonal pressure' on the county's health and social care sector.

The Clinical Commissioning Group says they're 'working tirelessly' to keep services running, but they're for our support to make things a little easier.

We're told general winter pressures, coupled with the ongoing pandemic means there's limited bed space in our hospitals and high levels of staff sickness, due to Covid-19 and isolation.

Local residents are being asked to consider a few things to help ease the workload:

• Support loved ones to leave hospital so that they can be more comfortable and recover more quickly at home

• Use NHS services wisely to get the right treatment, in the right place, at the right time - hospital emergency departments are under extreme pressure, so if you’re unwell and are unsure about where to go, visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111

• Contact your local pharmacist or GP practice for ongoing or minor health issues

• Only ever call 999 in a medical emergency - this is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk

• Get your jabs – protect yourself and support your local services by getting your first, second, and booster Covid-19 vaccine doses

Dr Forbes Watson, a local GP and Chair of NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:

“We’d like to thank all our hard-working teams for their resilience and continued efforts to support Dorset people in these challenging circumstances.

“Teams across the health and care system in Dorset are doing all they can to keep people safe while tackling winter pressures and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“We’d like to ask for the continuing support of Dorset people in using NHS services wisely. Relatives of those in hospital also play a valued role, and we’d like to thank those who are supporting their loved ones to leave hospital so that they can be more comfortable and recover much more quickly in their own homes.

“Also, if you haven’t had your first, second and booster Covid-19 jabs or have changed your mind, it’s not too late.”

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• dorset nhs
• covid 19
• winter pressures