A Shepton Mallet hospital is urging patients who have an outpatient appointment or who are due for surgery to attend as planned despite the introduction of a national lockdown.

The team at Practice Plus Group Hospital Shepton Mallet are advising patients that, unless they are told otherwise by the hospital, all planned treatments and appointments will go ahead.

They also ask that patients attend on their own unless there is a genuine reason for someone to accompany them, for example as a carer, interpreter or other supporter.

If you do need to be accompanied, you are asked to let them know prior to attending your appointment.

Patients can be assured that all treatments and appointments take place in a Covid-secure environment.

Telephone lines are busy as members of staff arrange appointments and treatment bookings, so if patients have a question about their treatment or appointment they are advised to visit the hospital's website where there is a specific enquiry form which will be answered quickly - www.sheptonmallethospital.nhs.uk/covid.