Floods Latest News
27/07/2007
Health Service Update
GP surgeries are continuing to focus on meeting the needs of patients with urgent medical needs. Patients are asked to contact their GP surgery if they require urgent care and follow the advice provided.
During the evening and overnight, the Out of Hours medical service (call 08454 220220) is available to provide urgent care to those people who for medical reasons cannot wait until their GP surgery re-opens.
For general medical advice, people can call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
During the day, patients who require routine medication in flood hit areas such as Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury can go to their usual community pharmacy where they will be dispensed a 5 day supply of medication.
Community Nursing Teams are working closely with social care staff to provide care to vulnerable patients in local communities. If you are aware of a particularly vulnerable person who may require additional health or social care support, please call 0800 0920410.
The NHS is asking people to only call 999 in an emergency so that patients with life threatening conditions can continue to receive timely access to services.
Surgery and Outpatient Appointments Information
Outpatient appointments
With the exception of urgent cases, routine and non-urgent outpatient appointments at Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital have now been cancelled up to and including Tuesday, July 31.
Patients with appointments that have been cancelled are being contacted directly by staff to make them aware of the situation. This is being monitored regularly and updates will be made available on a daily basis.
Routine and day case procedures
All routine and day case procedures scheduled to take place at Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital are now cancelled until Wednesday August 1. They will recommence when mains water supplies are made available.
Tewkesbury Hospital
Tewkesbury Hospital is being used as a GP base from Monday 30 July for two weeks and outpatient appointments and surgery have been cancelled until further notice. Alternative arrangements will be made for urgent outpatient appointments at other hospitals.
The free helpline number to call for any queries regarding appointments or ongoing treatment is 0800 0193368. The helpline is now open Monday to Friday 8am – 5 pm and 8am – 4pm during the weekend.
A statement from Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust reads:
“We understand that patients may be concerned about these cancellations and apologise for any inconvenience they cause.”
“We would like to reassure members of the public that it is only routine and non-urgent appointments that have been cancelled and our clinicians have been studying patient notes to ensure that those who require treatment as a matter of priority continue to be seen.”
We would also encourage anyone who has a concern or question about their ongoing care or future appointments to ring our free helpline.”
For the latest daily information visit: http://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/
Winchcombe Minor Injuries Unit
Gloucestershire PCT and local GPs have agreed to the temporary closure of the Minor Injuries Unit at Winchcombe Hospital on staff and patient safety grounds.
The current floods are placing additional strain on the hospital and the nursing staff who provide cover for the Minor Injuries Unit need to focus on caring for inpatients on the ward.
As a result of the current shortages, water is currently being transferred by hand into the hospital by staff for sanitation purposes.
Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust’s Director of Care Services, John Ford said:
“There is agreement from local clinicians that based on staff and patient safety considerations and the additional pressures brought on by the floods, a temporary closure of the Minor Injuries Unit is the right course of action to take.”
“We have made no permanent decision and will review the position when the current floods incident is over.”
Dr Keith Curtis, Senior Partner at Winchcombe Medical Practice said:
"Under the current circumstances we recognise that there are very real safety concerns. It is important that the nursing staff are in a position to concentrate on the health and well-being of the current hospital inpatients.”
- Local GP services are available between 8am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday and Community Nursing Services are also provided
- Patients who require urgent medical treatment out of hours that can’t wait until the GP surgery re-opens should call the Out of Hours medical service on 08454 220 220. There is an Out of Hours Primary Care Centre in Cheltenham
- There is also a 24 hour Emergency Department in Cheltenham
Public Health Key Messages:
If you do not have access to mains water:
- Collect bowser water in a safe, clean container and store it safely to prevent contamination
- Boil bowser water before use as a precautionary measure
- Boiled bowser water is the best option for making up infant formula. Boiled bottled water can also be used. It is important to keep babies hydrated If your child has a kidney condition or is on a low sodium diet, only use boiled bowser water. If this is not possible, please seek medical advice
- Use bowser water as sparingly as possible and save it for drinking
- Flood water or other ‘grey water’ such as from streams and rain water can be used to flush the toilet. You can also use recycled drinking water e.g. from tooth brushing or from cooking
- If possible, do not flush the toilet after every visit, but it is important that you wash your hands with clean water and soap or wetwipes
- If your home has been flooded, assume water has been contaminated and boil it before drinking
- Health risks are low, but avoid contact with flood water where possible. If you have to deal with it, try and use protective clothing such as gloves and wellies. Overalls and goggles can be worn if you have them
- Children should not play in flood water
- If walking through flood water beware of hazards such as debris
- If you have been exposed to flood water wash your hands thoroughly especially before preparing food and eating with clean water and soap or wetwipes
- If you are aware that there is a loss of power or water in your area, please check on the elderly or vulnerable people and ensure they have received the above advice and that they have access to water.
Further detailed information can be found on the Health Protection Agency website at www.hpa.org.uk.
Important Health Advice for residents when the water supply returns through taps:
- Do not drink the water even after boiling it
- Do not use the water for food preparation
- Do not use the water for ice making
- Do not use for cleaning your teeth
- Do not use for making baby feeds
This water CAN be used for flushing toilets, bathing and showering.
You will be informed when the tap water is safe to drink.
Bottled water or boiled Bowser water remains the only safe source of drinking water until further notice.
Information on Water Supply
Link to www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=15984
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