News and media releases from the Surrey Heartlands area
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Surrey public urged to use the right service as winter illnesses hit
Surrey health leaders are urging residents to use NHS services wisely this winter to help ensure emergency care is available for those who need it most.
Hospitals across Surrey are starting to see increasing levels of demand, and the public is being reminded to only attend Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments for serious illnesses, injuries, or life-threatening emergencies.
With a seasonal rise in winter illnesses, including Covid, local healthcare providers are calling on the community to consider alternative options such as NHS 111, pharmacies, GP practices, and urgent treatment centres for non-emergency health concerns.
In addition, eligible residents are strongly encouraged to book their Covid vaccination as soon as possible. Hospitals in Surrey are seeing an increase in people with Covid. Data shows that patients admitted with Covid often require a hospital stay of 6 to 8 days, and sometimes longer if there are complications, and this then impacts on capacity.
Chief Medical Officer at NHS Surrey Heartlands, Professor Andrew Rhodes, said:
As we move into the winter months, our hospitals are already beginning to get busier, with the flu season and other winter illnesses starting to take hold.
We need the public’s support to help keep our emergency services running for those who truly need them. If you’re feeling unwell, please consider the most appropriate service before heading to A&E – this could include a walk in centre or minor unit, and pharmacies for advice on minor illnesses - and if you’re eligible for a Covid vaccination, getting protected now could help keep you out of hospital later.
A spokesperson for Ashford and St Peters NHS Foundation Trust, said:
Our teams are working incredibly hard to ensure people can receive the care they need, when they need it, but we are already seeing increasing pressure on our emergency departments as winter illnesses rise.
We’re asking everyone to help us by choosing the right service for their needs — NHS 111, pharmacies, and GP practices can all offer expert advice and treatment for most minor illnesses and injuries. By using these services first, you’re helping our teams focus on the most seriously unwell patients and keeping our hospitals running smoothly through this busy period.
A spokesperson for Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said:
Our priority is to see all our patients as quickly and safely as possible, but due to high levels of demand and an early increase in winter viruses which is impacting staffing levels and how we move patients around our site, our Emergency Department has been under significant pressure.
Our staff are working hard to keep patients safe, support ambulance services to transfer patients into the Emergency Department as quickly as possible and admit all those who need our care, as well as treat those already on our wards and continue to discharge patients who no longer require acute care to ensure we have beds available for those who need admission.
A reminder of the services available:
- Call NHS 111 or go online for advice 24/7 for urgent help that’s not life threatening.
- Pharmacy First: Get expert advice and treatment from you local pharmacist for common health problem.
- General Practice: Book and appointment at your GP surgery for general health concerns or ongoing symptoms.
- Urgent Care: Get help at a minor injury unit or walk in centre for non-life-threatening problems, such as sprains, cuts or stomach pain.
- 999: For life threatening emergencies only.
More information about local services is available on our website.