Public urged to use NHS services wisely during Jubilee and Derby weekend 

A plea from hospitals has gone out to the public not to visit A&E unless it is an emergency.

While many people will be enjoying a longer break, NHS staff will be working hard to care for those in need. 

More than 100,000 people are expected to be in Epsom for the Oaks and the Derby over Friday and Saturday, with Epsom and St Helier medical and nursing staff joining St John Ambulance and South East Coast Ambulance Service to treat people at a field hospital near the racecourse. 

In previous years staff have treated about 150 people over the two days at this pop-up, freeing up space in the nearby hospitals for other patients.   

Dr Ruth Charlton, Chief Medical Officer at Epsom and St Helier, said:  “We’re here for people who are in genuine need, but would ask you to consider first if our emergency departments are the best place for you to be. 

“If you are celebrating this weekend, whether for the Jubilee or at the races, have a wonderful time – but please ensure you do so responsibly. Don’t dampen your bank holiday weekend by ending up in A&E.” 

St George’s Hospital also have additional staff  and dedicated discharge support teams working over the bank holiday weekend with social care and community health partners. Their Surgical Assessment Unit (Nye Bevan) and AMU continue to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

If you need medical help this weekend and it is not an emergency, visit: 111.nhs.uk first for advice on which part of the NHS can best provide support. Often you will be seen more quickly in other healthcare environments. The Group is also reminding parents and guardians not to attend hospitals if their children are experiencing diarrhoea and vomiting, but to instead contact NHS 111 first for guidance. 

This weekend, many pharmacies will be open for longer and can give advice on many minor medical problems. GPs will also have additional out-of-hours appointments – local people needing GPs should call their surgeries first. If not connected to your surgery, you should be connected to your local out of hours GP service. 

For example, in Merton and Wandsworth, GPs are offering telephone, videocall and some face to face appointments where necessary to patients with urgent health needs. These include at evenings and weekends, between 8am – 8pm.  

GP practices will let their patients know how to access this urgent medical help, contact information is available on practices websites.  

You can also help NHS staff this weekend by ensuring you request and collect your next prescription in plenty of time, if you take regular medication.