SALISBURY District Hospital has for the first time since April 2018 achieved a four hour standard for dealing with patients in accident and emergency.

It says 95 per cent of patients attending accident and emergency in August were admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.

Chief operating officer Andy Hyett said: "It is a really demanding, nationally-recognised standard to achieve - 95 per cent of patients attending A&E being admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.

"This is fantastic news that the hospital achieved the national standard in August.

"Our A&E department is one of the best in the country, which is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our staff."

As Salisbury heads into autumn the hospital is reminding residents that there are two alternative health services to A&E if people are unwell, NHS 111 and local pharmacies.

NHS 111 is a free, non-emergency helpline run by the NHS that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It provides advice or refers callers to the appropriate healthcare professional.

The same service is available online at 111.nhs.uk.

And local pharmacists can offer advice about minor health concerns. Pharmacists can also check prescriptions for safety, explain to patients how to take new medicines and provide public health interventions, like flu vaccines.

n At the end of the month, Salisbury NHS Trust is holding its annual general meeting, which is open to members of the public.

It takes place on September 30 at 5pm in Salisbury Arts Centre.

The meeting will look back over the last year, as well as look forward to the hospital’s plans for 2019/20 and there will the opportunity for members of the public to ask questions of the hospital's board.

The Trust's chief executive Cara Charles-Barks said: "I hope members of the public will be able to join us on 30 September. The Board are looking forward to meeting members of our local community to update them on the hospital’s performance and what we aim to achieve in the future, to hear their comments and answer any questions. I’m proud of all we achieved in 2018/19."