‘PLEASE support our NHS, listen to the advice and stay at home.’

Those are the words of Bernard Spilsbury, chairman of The Friends of Burnham-on-Sea War Memorial Hospital who is urging people to support the NHS as doctors, nurses and medical staff battle the coronavirus pandemic.

Before COVID-19 swept across the country Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) announced that Burnham Hospital’s minor injury unit (MIU) was one of seven hospitals that was at risk of being closed and turned into an urgent treatment centre.

The Friends launched a petition in a bid to halt the closure and Somerset’s CCG’ said its consultation into the MIU’s future will continue online during the crisis.

But Bernard said supporting NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic is the most important thing and The Friends will help staff in any way they can.

“We need everyone to rally round and support our hospital and its staff more than ever,” Bernard said.

“Can you imagine at a time like this not having this facility in Burnham?

“Many of the comments that came back to us said that people wanted to keep the facility to help relieve the continuous pressure on our overstretched GP services.

“We are helping the staff with very simple gestures.

“Last week we supplied boxes of Thornton’s chocolates to be shared amongst them all and this week I have arranged a delivery of five trays of cakes with the help of Steve at Maisey’s Bakery in Highbridge.

“With Easter coming up we have already put in place the facility for any patient within the hospital to be able to have an Easter Gift.

“I am considering how we can also make sure that the staff know that everyone in the community are thinking of them.

“But the best way you can help to support our NHS staff is to stay at home and abide by the Government advice, as it really can save lives.

“I would urge residents to follow the advice and do their best to support our hospital in any way that they can.”

As of 9am on March 30 figures for the county show that a total of 46 people in Somerset have Covid-19 and 1,408 people have died across the country.

A spokesperson for Somerset CCG said: “The best thing that people can do to show their support for the NHS is to stay at home, wash their hands regularly and use NHS services wisely.

“Volunteering to be a corona helper via the SPARK Somerset website would also be really useful as by supporting the most vulnerable in the community, you are supporting the NHS to focus on those in most immediate need.”