The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is urging residents and visitors in Gloucestershire to use local health services wisely throughout the Easter bank holiday weekend, which runs from 3 April to 6 April 2026. As one of the busiest times of the year for the health service, officials are asking the public to reserve 999 calls exclusively for serious or life-threatening emergencies.
Wayne Darch, the Deputy Director of Operations at the ambulance service, noted that teams typically handle around 2,650 incidents every day across their service area. By choosing the right care for non-urgent issues, residents can help ensure that ambulances remain available for those in the most critical need. For medical advice that is not an emergency, residents are encouraged to contact NHS 111, which is available 24 hours a day either online or by phone.
Local health leaders are also advising people to plan ahead during the break by ordering any necessary repeat prescriptions in advance. For minor illnesses, the public is encouraged to consult with their local community pharmacies, which remain a key resource for health advice and medication support.
The appeal comes as local services prepare for further pressure following the holiday period. Due to upcoming industrial action by resident doctors between 7 April and 13 April 2026, the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has announced temporary changes to services. During this time, the A&E department at Cheltenham will operate only as a minor injuries and illness unit between 8am and 8pm, and will be closed overnight. These measures are intended to allow emergency staff to focus resources at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and maintain patient safety.
The Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust continues to monitor demand closely, noting that national pressure on urgent care remains high following the busiest January for ambulance handovers in years. By using local pharmacies and the 111 service appropriately, residents can help manage demand on emergency departments across the county.
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