Barnsley Hospital facing high demand due to winter pressures

These pressures - including higher numbers of serious respiratory cases and falls - mean A&E departments tend to be extremely busy at this time of year. People with long-term conditions are also more likely to be admitted to hospital during winter and some people will face long waits in A&E.

Barnsley Hospital is asking patients to consider if they can seek other sources for help and advice if not in need of emergency or life-saving treatment. 

Lorraine Burnett, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Like the NHS across the country, our Emergency Department is really busy, so we’re asking patients and their families to help us. 

“Please consider other sources of help and advice such as NHS 111 and community pharmacies for anything that isn't life-threatening or an emergency, such as colds, ear aches and sore throats.”

Pharmacists can provide some prescription medications if needed, without a patient seeing a GP. The ‘Think Pharmacy First’ campaign has been increasing public awareness about these services. More information about how pharmacies can help is available on NHS.uk

Figures have shown there are a significant number of people attending the emergency department who could be seen elsewhere. The hospital would encourage people to help themselves by getting vaccinated against flu and Covid, keeping medicines well stocked and ordering prescriptions well ahead of the Christmas holidays. 

The increase in demand on emergency hospital services is region-wide, and it is expected that the current challenges on services will continue for some time. Barnsley Hospital is planning accordingly, while monitoring and adapting to demand and maintaining the best possible service for patients. Ms Burnett added: “As is often the case in winter, this is not an easy time for our teams across the organisation and we thank them for their continued hard work and professionalism.”