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Hospital Boss Pleads: Use Other Services First This Winter
4 Nov
Summary
- Hospital trust boss urged people to use other services before ED.
- Emergency department saw 6% more patients in September 2026.
- New hospital rebuild is not expected to start before 2037.
As winter looms, James Blythe, the leader of Royal Berkshire NHS Trust, is appealing to the local community to explore all available healthcare options before attending the emergency department. In September 2026, the trust experienced a 6% rise in patient attendance compared to the same month in 2025, exacerbating pressures. In response, an additional 50 treatment slots have been created daily at the urgent care center on the Royal Berkshire Hospital site.
Blythe emphasized the importance of flu vaccinations and encouraged patients to utilize services such as pharmacies, NHS 111, and general practices whenever possible. He noted that a significant number of patients presenting at the hospital could be better treated by their GP. To address this, more capacity has been arranged in collaboration with local GPs. Meanwhile, the hospital continues to operate within aging buildings, some dating back nearly 200 years, with plans for a potential rebuild not slated to begin until 2037 at the earliest.
