Like the entire NHS, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust says it is experiencing significant demand for services and are seeing more patients than ever in the accident and emergency department.

The trust has said that they are working hard to ensure our patients are seen at the earliest opportunity so they can receive the right care, in the right place, but do say they expect this New Year’s bank holiday weekend to be one of the busiest period.

They are asking the public to help this bank holiday weekend by making the right choices.

You can help your NHS in several easy ways.

• The prevalence of Covid-19 and flu is high in our hospitals and communities, therefore getting your Covid-19 and flu vaccines if eligible, will help protect yourself, your loved ones and your NHS.
• Please protect yourself and your loved ones from spreading germs by staying at home if you feel unwell, washing your hands frequently with soap and water and if you are visiting loved ones in our hospitals then please wear a mask.
• Choosing the most appropriate service for your health needs can help you get the treatment you need more quickly, while helping the NHS work at its best. These services include:

• Self-care: minor illnesses and injuries such as cuts, grazes and upset stomachs can often be remedied with medicine cupboard basics like paracetamol, cough and cold remedies and diarrhoea relief.
• Local pharmacy: pharmacies have an array of products to help with a variety of minor illnesses, and community pharmacists have a wealth of expertise and are qualified to offer advice there and then. Many pharmacies are open on weekends and bank holidays, you can find which ones are open here.
• GPs: if you have been unwell for more than 48 hours and require medical treatment, you can book an appointment at your GP practice. GP practices offer online consultations, telephone, video and face-to-face appointments.
• NHS 111: if you have an urgent medical issue that is not life-threatening or you’re not sure what to do, call NHS 111 or visit NHS 111 online. The operator can advise the service that will best suit your needs or book you a time slot at our accident and emergency department.

You can find more information on which service best suits your needs here.

The trust added that “ensuring you are prepared for the bank holiday is also important, so please remember to check that you have enough of your medications for the long weekend”.

“New Year’s Eve is a night of celebration, and we are asking you to help us ring in the New Year in the right way. We hope you have fun over this period, but we urge you to make safe and sensible decisions so that you avoid requiring urgent clinical care”.

Ravi Ayyumuthu, emergency department consultant and deputy medical director at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust said: “While we are very busy at the moment, please know that we are here for you over the New Year weekend if you need us.

“We are asking everyone to please use our NHS services wisely. This will mean others with greater need can be seen more quickly. However, please ensure that if you or someone else requires urgent clinical care, that you attend an accident and emergency department or telephone 999.”