Emma ElgeeWest of England

PA Media A stock image of a hospital ward. The image shows an empty ward with several bays with blue curtains, which are blurred in the background. In the forefront of the image is a man in bright red scrubs with a stethoscope around his neck. — NHS services are expecting the first week of January to be their busiest of the year

NHS services are asking for public support for what is expected to be the busiest week of the year.

The NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire has said the pressures of extreme cold weather and a bad flu season will make the start of the year challenging.

It is asking the public to think about which healthcare provider is most suited to their needs to help ease pressure points.

Dr Amanda Webb, chief medical officer for BANES, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), said the local NHS runs on a combination of “robust planning and sheer resilience”.

She added: “While we do all we can behind the scenes to keep services running, its the support of the public that can turn a very challenging situation into something much more manageable.

“There are so many health and care options available now, most of which can be accessed in seconds through either a smartphone or tablet, and we need these to be people’s first port of call whenever it is they feel that help is needed.”

People are being reminded that NHS 111 is available 24/7 online and can be a good place to check if you are not sure which healthcare service you need.

Similar help for minor injury and illness can also be sought from community pharmacies but people should still call 999 if they are experiencing a medical emergency.

Dr Trevor Smith, medical director for NHS England South West, said the pressures were being felt across the region but teams were coping well so far.

He said: “We’ve planned for this but we are certainly at a time now where all our services are under the most significant pressure of the winter period.”

Dr Trevor Smith says there are some hotspots of pressures at GP surgeries and A&E

A man with close cropped white hair and black glasses. He is wearing a blue puffer jacket. — Dr Trevor Smith says there are some hotspots of pressures at GP surgeries and A&E

Smith added: “There are some inevitable delays because of those peaks in demand and pressures so I’d ask people to bare with us.

“Hotspots are into GP surgeries and into emergency departments – that is why it’s really important to think through whether accessing care through 111 might be a suitable option.”

He stressed though that seriously unwell people should continue to call 999 or go to A&E.

The ICB added that healthy people can do their part through practicing good hand hygiene which can prevent the spread of winter viruses, flu and norovirus.

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