We are experiencing severe pressure across our Northern services, and our emergency department at NDDH is very busy with people attending the ED having to wait a long time to be seen.

It’s important to us that we are honest with our community about the ongoing challenges we are facing. We know that the impacts of these challenges are being felt by you, your friends and family.

There are currently significant bed pressures at North Devon District Hospital and South Molton Community Hospital. We are experiencing challenges with discharging patients from hospital, and continue to see increased numbers of people needing our urgent care services.

We continue to experience issues with having the staff we need and the ongoing impact of COVID-19, and this is contributing towards the pressure we are facing.

We want you to know that we are doing everything we can to see people as quickly as possible, but we have had to make some tough decisions about what we can and cannot do right now.

We know that our colleagues working in health and social care right across Devon are working in extremely tough conditions and we want to thank them for working alongside us to help deliver safe and compassionate care.

While things remain challenging we ask that you do what you can to help your local NHS, including:

Choosing the right healthcare services for your needs.

• Dialling 999 or going to ED if you don’t need to could delay treatment for someone who is seriously ill.
  
  
• If you have visitors with you this summer let them know they can still contact their usual GP practice for a telephone consultation
  
  
• Visit your local pharmacies, they can help with many minor ailments and pain relief
  
  
• Please use our summer weekend minor injuries service at the Tyrrell Hospital in Ilfracombe (St Brannock's Park Rd, Ilfracombe EX34 8JF), Friday to Monday, 10am to 6pm, for walk-ins and referrals from NHS 111.

• If you need urgent care please call 111 or visit https://111.nhs.uk/
  
  
• Supporting any loved ones you have at the hospital to get ready to go home as soon as they are able to leave hospital
  
  
• Getting your flu and COVID-19 vaccination/booster
  
  
• Do not visit hospital is you have symptoms of COVID-19 or norovirus
  
  
• Download the NHS app and you can check your symptoms, book GP appointments and order repeat prescriptions. To find out more visit https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-app/