Great Western Hospital has issued an urgent warning that its Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) is very busy leading to delays in being seen.

The hospital urged people to “think really carefully” about whether they need to attend the facility this afternoon October 14, or could get the help they need somewhere else.

To avoid a long wait for patients at the UTC, they suggest they check if they could be treated by a pharmacist or minor injury unit.

A spokesperson said: “Our Urgent Treatment Centre is currently very busy which means that some patients might be waiting longer than we would like, whilst our staff prioritise those in a more serious condition. 

“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, both of which can provide immediate clinical care and medication you might need.”

For advice, you can visit nhs.111.uk

The Emergency Department and Urgent Treatment Centre at GWH work together as one team and see patients in order of clinical need.

It advises: “So if you are waiting a long time after your initial assessment, this is because there are others with more critical or life-threatening conditions.”