AN URGENT plea has been issued to Hampshire communities amid "significant pressures" on all NHS services. 

This comes after almost every bed at the hospital across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is occupied by patients needing care and a rise in Strep A cases. 

Health and care teams are continuing to do all they can to ensure patients receive safe, high-quality care. 

With rising numbers of people seeking support and soaring attendance across all health services, it is vital that more is done to help teams who are doing their very best for all those who need care.

And due to significant and ongoing pressures, health leaders are being forced to make difficult decisions, such as prioritising patients who are most in need of emergency care.

This means: 

  • People may be redirected to a more appropriate service for their needs.
  • Colleagues continue to prioritise patients according to clinical need, which means that some people requesting or calling for non-urgent queries or waiting for a routine appointment may currently experience longer waits than we would like.

Dr Tim Cooper, GP partner and deputy chief medical officer for primary and local Care at Hampshire and Isle of Wight integrated care board, said: "Health and care teams are doing all they can to respond to general winter pressures, alongside a rise in attendances and contacts with health services due to high levels of strep A infection. 

"Within general practice, this means that some routine appointments may be postponed to help clinicians treat patients who need to be seen urgently, but we will do our best to minimise disruption.

"Colleagues continue working hard to support our patients, so please be patient with us as we try to find the best possible way to help you.

"As always, if your need is urgent, please get in touch."