DORSET County Hospital’s emergency department is “extremely busy” this morning with residents being warned to expect lengthy waits into the weekend.
Those with minor injuries or illnesses have been told not to visit the A&E department of the hospital in Dorchester with a spokesperson saying they would be “signposted elsewhere”.
People without a serious or life threatening condition are advised to use a different service: to ring 111, visit a local pharmacy, GP surgery or attend a minor injuries unit.
A spokesperson for Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (DCHFT) said: “Our Emergency Department is already extremely busy this morning. Please help us care for the people who need us most urgently by using alternative local services for anything not serious or life-threatening today and over the weekend.
“If you have a family member waiting to be discharged home from hospital or into alternative care, please respond quickly to our calls.”
Minor injuries units are available in Blandford, Bridport, Swanage, Wimborne, Shaftesbury and Sherborne, along with an urgent treatment centre at Weymouth Community Hospital.
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