Get Easter prescriptions in early to avoid last-minute rush for vital medication

People living across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are being urged to arrange any medication they may need for the Easter break well in advance of the long weekend. As most pharmacies in the region will close at the end of the day on Thursday 28 March, and not reopen until Tuesday…

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No change for patients as Swindon GP practices announce plans to merge

Two GP practices in Swindon have announced plans to merge at the beginning of next month. Whalebridge Practice will merge with Sparcells Surgery, along with its branch site of Great Western Surgery, on Monday 1 April. The arrangement, which will see all three sites take on the Whalebridge name, should not have any impact on…

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Mental health

Changes to Prescription Ordering Direct coming ahead of closure later in year

As part of the gradual winding down of Prescription Ordering Direct, patients in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are being advised of changes due to come into effect later this week. After Thursday 29 February, POD will no longer be accepting prescription requests sent in via email or through the form on…

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Services disrupted, but care still available, during latest junior doctor strikes

While many routine appointments and operations are likely to be impacted by the next round of industrial action by junior doctors, NHS leaders in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire have vowed that care will still be available for those in need. Junior doctors at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, the Great…

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Trailblazing health centre cared for 230 people each day during first year

Devizes’ state-of-the-art health centre is set to celebrate its first anniversary this week, with staff at the site proud to have cared for more than 59,000 people during its inaugural 12 months. The centre, which takes pride of place as the Wiltshire town’s flagship location for health and care, was given its official opening on…

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Nurse talking to patient

Prescription Ordering Direct closure: Frequently asked questions

Further information has been made available to patients following the announcement of the decision to close Prescription Ordering Direct (POD.) A list of frequently asked questions provides details of the closure, along with information on what happens next. People who have a question that is not answered by one of the FAQs should contact the…

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Patients told to carry on as normal for now, as decision on POD future is made

People in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire who use Prescription Ordering Direct to arrange their repeat medication are being told to carry on as normal, after a decision on the system’s future was made earlier this week.   Prescription Ordering Direct, which allows some patients to arrange their repeat medication by phone or…

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Further disruption as busy festive period gives way to longest strike to date

Health leaders in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are starting 2024 with a renewed appeal for people to support their local NHS during the longest period of industrial action to date. Junior doctors at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and Salisbury District Hospital will stage…

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Help to relieve pressure on busy NHS services this Christmas and New Year

The NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire is calling on local people to do all they can to help relieve the pressure felt by the whole health and care system this festive period. Christmas and New Year is traditionally a very busy time for the NHS, with demand for urgent and…

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Christmas and New Year strikes set to cause huge disruption for local NHS

The busiest time of year for the NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire looks set to be even more challenging as two periods of industrial action are planned for either side of the Christmas and New Year break. To help relieve the pressure and show support to the frontline teams working…

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