BARNSLEY Hospital’s emergency services are likely to be a ‘lot busier than usual’ following the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
NHS and care leaders are advising the community to make sure they order and collect their prescriptions or stock home medicines as some pharmacies in the community may close for the holiday.
Staff at Barnsley Hospital are working to ensure the patients who are well enough to spend the holiday at home, can be discharged by that time to watch the funeral themselves.
Dr Simon Enright, medical director, said: “It was with much sadness that we have learned of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.
“Everyone in the NHS and care sends their heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family at this time of national mourning.
“We know that before, during, and after bank holidays our urgent and emergency services tend to be busier than usual.
“We anticipate this weekend, and next weekend will be similar as communities rightly come together to mark the passion of Her Majesty the Queen.
“As such, we would ask all our communities to use urgent and emergency services appropriately, and use the online NHS 111 service initially for non-emergency needs.
“What will be different is that the NHS and care doesn’t schedule outpatient appointments, GP appointments, and other routine appointments on planned bank holidays.
“To ensure as many NHS and care staff can mark the passing of Her Majesty the Queen themselves, some of these appointments on Bank Holiday Monday will be rescheduled.
“The providers of these services have been in touch with patients directly to inform them if they are affected.”
