CALL 111 before travelling to hospital, doctors are advising potential patients.

The new Think 111 First initiative asks people in need of urgent health care to contact NHS 111 online or by phone first to be directed to the most appropriate healthcare service.

People with serious or life-threatening health conditions like chest pain, severe bleeding or loss of consciousness, should still continue to phone 999 ASAP.

Contacting the 111 service helps patients to be seen quicker and will reduce the number of unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities during this busy time.

In situations where people contacting NHS 111 do need urgent or emergency care, a timed arrival slot will be arranged at the nearest minor injuries unit or, in some cases, at the nearest hospital emergency department.

The clinical chair for the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG, Dr Andrew Girdher, said: “Our NHS is managing traditional winter pressures along with the additional demands of the coronavirus pandemic.

"So it’s important we direct people who could be treated safely in other locations away from our hospitals, where space has significantly reduced due to social distancing requirements.

“We know that around 30 per cent of people in emergency departments arrive by ambulance or GP referral, and that a significant proportion of the remaining patients could be seen safely, and often more quickly, elsewhere.

“Think 111 First has already been trialled in other parts of the country, where positive results have been seen, including a drop in the number of people going to emergency departments and we are confident that similar success can be felt in our region.

“Getting Think 111 First up and running in our region has been a complex project, which has involved close and collaborative working from all parts of the health and care system, and I would like to thank all our partners for their commitment and ability to work at pace.”

Healthcare facilities in the region like Great Western Hospital will now begin using the new Think 111 First system.

People who arrive a a healthcare facility like GWH without having first contacted NHS 111 will not be turned away but may be asked to wait or be signposted to a more appropriate local healthcare service.

For more information, visit www.bswccg.nhs.uk