Weather update from Dr Rob Dyer, Medical Director

Published: 1 March 2018

“We would like to thank staff and members of the public who have responded to our calls for support during these very challenging weather and travel conditions.

“As conditions have worsened during the day, we have had to focus our resources on keeping emergency services running.

“I can reassure people that Torbay Hospital continues to be safely staffed and emergencies will be treated as usual. The community services in Torbay and South Devon are also safely staffed but there are difficulties for staff reaching some people who are in their own homes. We are prioritising vulnerable people in the community but visits may not be at the expected times.

“We are now asking for people’s help in the following ways:

• If you need medical assistance, you should use the normal methods of seeking advice and help. In an emergency ring 999, and for all other advice including out of hours GP ring NHS 111.
• With the problems on our roads, particularly around Torbay Hospital, we would be grateful for people keeping away from the hospital site. When the roads are blocked it makes access difficult for emergency vehicles and 4X4.
• Some people who have been at the hospital for treatments today may not be able to go home from because of the poor access. Please bear with us: we will inform family members of anyone who may be affected, and will continue to ensure they are safe in hospital, with a bed overnight and food and drink. We are advised that the weather conditions will not improve until Friday morning at the earliest.
• We are concerned about people who live in the community and who may be vulnerable. Our staff are prioritising visits to people who are under our care in their own homes, but access is difficult and we will need to prioritise those in most urgent need of our support. If you have a neighbour or family member who is alone or unwell and you are able to pop in to check that they are OK, please do. If you need any advice, please ring NHS 111.
• We expect access to the hospital to be very difficult for at least the next 24 hours. All routine appointments have been cancelled for Friday 2nd March. We will contact people who need essential care (such as kidney dialysis) on Friday to make appropriate arrangements.

“We will continue to provide updates as circumstances change.”