Weston hospital stops accepting patients due to high coronavirus numbers

Weston General Hospital has stopped accepting new patients because of its high number of patients with Covid-19.

The hospital in Weston-super-Mare temporarily stopped accepting new patients, including to its A&E department, at 8am today (May 25).

In a statement, the hospital said: "This is a precautionary measure in order to maintain the safety of staff and patients in response to the high number of patients with Coronavirus in the hospital.

"The decision to take this step has been clinically-led, and is supported by partners across the wider Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) health and care system."

Update: A memo sent to staff reportedly said the number of patients with coronavirus at the hospital more than doubled in a week.

Weston General Hospital said arrangements were in place for new patients to continue to have access to treatment and care in other appropriate healthcare settings in the area should they need it.

Dr William Oldfield, medical director at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As with any hospital, the number of patients with Covid-19 will frequently change as people are admitted and discharged.

“We currently have a high number of patients with COVID-19 in Weston General Hospital.

"Whilst the vast majority will have come into the hospital with COVID-19, as an extra precaution we have taken the proactive step to temporarily stop accepting new patients to maintain patient and staff safety.

“We have a robust coronavirus testing programme in place for patients and staff to identify cases quickly, with appropriate measures taken by clinical teams as required.

“We will keep the situation under constant review.”

A number of alternative services are in place, the hospital said, including out of hours GP services.

The Minor Injuries Units in Clevedon and Yate, and Urgent Treatment Centre in South Bristol offer fast, walk-in treatment for minor injuries, it said.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Bristol is edging closer to 700, after another positive test was recorded in the latest daily figures on Sunday.

There are now 694 cases in the city, according to official statistics released.

North Somerset has finally seen a slow-down in cases following more sizeable jumps throughout this week, with only two additional cases to report, bringing its total to 404.

South Gloucestershire has recorded no new cases for the third day in a row, staying at 399.