Torbay Hospital remains under 'severe pressure'

Torbay residents are urged to support the county's NHS in overcoming its longest-ever strike period by making by continuing to 'choose the right service for their needs'.

Although industrial action ended on Tuesday, January 9, all of the county's main hospitals - in Torbay as well as Plymouth, Exeter and Barnstaple, are likely to remain under 'severe pressure' all week.

Although the level of escalation for the NHS in Devon has now been lowered, after reaching the highest level last Friday 5 January. Despite this, all four acute hospitals in Devon remain under a significant amount of pressure.

In an effort to curb the transmission of winter illnesses, certain hospital wards in Devon remain closed, adding further strain on capacity during an already exceptionally busy period.

The plummeting temperatures are also adding to the strain on healthcare provision. The South West has been issued with a amber warning under the new Cold Health Alert scheme, launched by the UK Health Security Agency and Met Office last year. An amber alert means that cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time, with potential for the whole population to be at risk and multiple sectors to be affected. 
 
Anthony Fitzgerald, Chief Delivery Officer for NHS Devon, said; “It is still critical that those needing emergency or life-saving care contact 999 or attend ED but we ask everyone else to choose the best service for their medical need. If your condition isn’t life-threatening, consider 111, your GP or local pharmacy first.

“Just because this period of strikes by junior doctors have ended, it doesn’t mean we are back on track - the usual January pressures are still in full force. We have entered a period of extremely cold weather which means winter illnesses and infections are spreading quickly.”

Local people can do their bit by:

• Continue to call 999 in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
• Go to NHS 111 online if you need medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital; you can also phone 111.
• Please check local hospital trust websites for information on Minor Injury Units and Urgent Treatment Centres. 
• Play your part by taking simple steps during the cold weather to look after yourselves and loved ones, checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours. A first step is making sure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked.
• Pick up loved ones who are ready to be discharged from hospital.
• Make use of community pharmacies, which can advise on minor illnesses and provide medications. 
• If you, or someone you know, experiences a mental health crisis you can
  access support from a number of places: 24/7 urgent mental health helpline 0808 196 8708; Mental Health Matters helpline (24/7) 0800 470 0317; Mental Health Crisis Line Plymouth is open 24/7 0800 923 9323; Samaritans 1116 123; Text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 text support