The Triangle

Hello and welcome to this edition of the Triangle. You will not be surprised to learn that the current winter season has been incredibly busy for the NHS in our area, with our hospitals, clinics and surgeries all seeing high numbers of patients needing care and support. At the beginning of the year, not only…

The Great Western Hospital’s new urgent and emergency care development was given a royal seal of approval in January following a visit from Her Majesty the Queen. Hospital staff, along with children from nearby schools, welcomed Queen Camilla to Swindon on Tuesday 21 January, when she officially opened the site’s newly expanded urgent and emergency…

The government has published a new plan for how it intends to cut waiting lists and shorten the time taken to diagnose serious conditions. Announced by the Prime Minster, the Elective Reform Plan details an ambitious approach in which health and care will be transformed over the coming years. Under the plan, patients have been…

The NHS experienced its busiest ever year for urgent and emergency care in 2024. Professor Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, said the last year had been relentless for staff, and likened the pressure of the current winter season to the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.  New data has shown that December 2024 was the…

The region’s three acute hospitals have been recognised for their innovative approach to improvement by the HSJ Partnership Awards. The Royal United Hospital in Bath, the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and Salisbury District Hospital, all of which are now working together under a new group model arrangement, have been shortlisted in the category of…

More than 6,000 extra diagnostic appointments will be made available to patients in Swindon thanks to a new community endoscopy unit, which is currently being built in the town. Construction of the new facility, which will be based next to the existing West Swindon Health Centre, began in early January and is expected to last…

The most affectionate time of the year has prompted a flurry of heart-warming messages for the tireless NHS staff in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire. People living across the area who have been helped during their moment of need have chosen to use this Valentine’s Day to pay thanks to those staff…

Diverse communities from across the region, including Roma, Gypsy and Traveller people, boaters, refugees and asylum seekers, have been invited to share their views about how health and care services could be improved in the future. Their views have been gathered as part of a nationwide exercise to collect thoughts and opinions on the soon…

People who struggled during the first few weeks of the year are being reassured that local help and support is available. Winter is often a challenging time for many, with people’s moods and mental outlook impacted by a range of seasonal factors, including the come-down from the festive period, money worries and the combination of…

Wiltshire Council is conducting a comprehensive review of its care at home and domiciliary care services, with the aim of shaping the future of homecare services across the county. This review will contribute to the development of an options proposal for future commissioning in 2026. The council is eager to hear from those who receive…