SALISBURY District Hospital has seen the biggest drop of GP referrals over the lockdown period, the CCG has revealed.

According to Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG, referrals have plummeted by 47 per cent in April, May and June compared to the first three months of the year.

It is the biggest drop among all hospitals in the CCG area.

The drop in the number of people seeking help from their GP for symptoms, that could be cancer, has prompted a warning that not getting checked could lead to serious consequences.

Dr Ruth Grabham, the CCG’s Medical Director, has issued a stark appeal, for any person with concerns about their health, to not sit on their symptoms and to not hesitate in contacting their GP.

Dr Grabham said: “Practices across our region have remained open throughout the last few months, with more and more patients getting the care and support they need over the phone or by video call in the first instance.

“Face-to-face appointments have still been taking place too, for issues that do not lend themselves as well to a virtual consultation. So, with these points in mind, what my GP colleagues and I want to stress the most is that our services are available, our practices are safe, and we really want to hear from anyone worried about their health.

“Whether it’s unusual bleeding, a new lump or something else that just doesn’t feel right, let us know so that we can look into it and arrange further help. Putting it off could only make whatever the issue is more difficult to treat in the long run.”