Know your local healthcare options

We are experiencing an extremely high demand for our services and are asking the public to do all they can to support us at this busy time.

Please prepare for long wait times in our Emergency Department and Urgent Treatment Centre.

We treat patients in order of clinical need, so if there are patients with more critical or life-threatening conditions, you will be waiting longer.

Patients should attend appointments as planned, unless contacted directly by the Trust.

Please consider all local healthcare options, including local pharmacies, with many able to prescribe medicines just like a GP and open late or at weekends.

There are also two minor injuries units a short drive from Swindon and a specialist Children’s Clinic for children and young people age 2-17.

If you are not sure what to do, NHS 111 can tell you what to do next. Visit 111.nhs.uk/ or phone 111.

There are lots of things that families, friends and carers can do to support us when patients are well enough to leave hospital. Visit https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/leaving-hospital/ to find out more.

If you think someone's life may be at risk, do not hesitate to phone 999. 

Pharmacies 

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.

Many pharmacies have a prescribing pharmacist who can prescribe prescription medicines.

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.

Find your nearest pharmacy online https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy and contact them to ask how they can help.

Swindon Children's Clinic 

Swindon Children’s Clinic is open Monday- Friday, 8am-4pm, for 2 to 17-year-olds. 

Call 01793 709505 for advice for children and young people or an appointment with a healthcare professional in Swindon. 

Your GP

GP services are the best option for long-term conditions.

Minor Injuries Units

There are two minor injuries units a short drive from Swindon where you may be seen more quickly.

They are open to walk-in patients over the age of one with minor injuries and are open until 8pm daily.

For information on Chippenham Minor Injury Unit, visit https://wiltshirehealthandcare.nhs.uk/services/minor-injury-unit/

For information on Cirencester Minor Injury Unit, visit https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/our-teams-and-services/miius/
NHS 111

If you are not sure what to do, or you think you need medical help right now, NHS 111 can tell you what to do next. Visit 111.nhs.uk/ or phone 111.

Urgent and Emergency care 

If you think someone's life may be at risk, do not hesitate to phone 999 or visit the Emergency Department at the Great Western Hospital.

The Emergency Department is accessed through the Urgent Treatment Centre. 

All walk-in patients, meaning those who do not arrive on an ambulance, must enter the building through the Urgent Treatment Centre entrance.

Please see Emergency Department and Urgent Treatment Centre.

You can also walk-in to the Urgent Treatment Centre for urgent care.