PEOPLE have been asked to visit A&E at Great Western Hospital only if they have a critical or life-threatening condition. Bosses at the Swindon hospital say the emergency department is currently extremely busy. The waiting time target is four hours. Here’s what you told us on Facebook…

Jayne Brown: “I thought that was what you were always meant to do. It’s not a GP surgery.”

Michael Stack: “If you are not medically qualified, how do you know if your condition is critical or life threatening?”

Amanda Rawlings: “And yet whilst we were in the midst of the pandemic, they were trying to encourage people to go as it was so quiet and they were concerned with the lack of people.”

Claire Newbold: “I was in A&E last Wednesday and was on a trolley for 18.5 hours before going to a ward. It took approximately 13 hours to see a doctor. It’s ridiculous. We need a bigger hospital.”

Andrew Little: “This is hardly surprising, with the pressure GWH are under.

“Yes, we know they are expanding but apparently by only about 80 beds, which will hardly scratch the surface.

“Swindon Borough Council should take a lot of the blame for this by giving planning permission for all these thousands of new houses.”

Darrell Woollatt: “This is why we have 111, if they think you are bad enough, they will recommend an ambulance, it’s common sense.”

Nina Downey: “So, nothing has changed then.

"They never saw anyone anyway. My sister was once hit by a motorbike and it took them two hours to see her.

"Lucky she hadn’t hit her head when she got hit as she has epilepsy.”

Sara Morton: “Our mum waited five hours in the car park in an ambulance on Friday, she’s 94 years old with a racing heart.

"Thank you to the paramedics Jason and Sarah who stayed with her.”

Helen Geddes: “The problem is people who turn up to A&E with the most trivial things. I’d seek advice from my local pharmacy first as, they are very good.”

Karon Whyte: “My daughter was admitted last week, she had bronchitis, and they basically ran her to the Covid Assessment Unit and took bloods.

"I couldn’t believe how quick they were.”

Louise Jones: “People do go to A&E for silly things, I have seen how some people can be. Not all though.”

Hannah Brooke: “I think we can agree that clearly broken bones can’t be fixed by a GP, but I also agree that a lot of people come in with very minor complaints, and also abusive drunks and druggies who have self-inflicted injuries usually.

“Hats off to all Emergency Department staff for what they have to deal with every weekend, thanks to drugs and alcohol! Proper timewasters.”