Weston General is under growing pressure but there is “no intention” for it to become a Covid-only hospital, according to health chiefs.
Clinical commissioning group chief executive Julia Ross said some patients were being diverted to “create space” so the hospital can operate normally as quickly as possible.
The hospital trust said the move is only temporary and being kept under review.
Ms Ross told Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG’s governing body on January 5: “People are tired both within the NHS and beyond. The third lockdown is challenging on all of us.
“For the NHS, having a third lockdown is important for us to try and get ahead of the virus. Our system remains incredibly pressured. Bristol is almost at average national levels. The South West is at the low end of the Covid range but in Bristol things are challenging.
“The number of Covid cases in our hospitals is rising. At the end of December there were 235 patients in our three hospitals and every day we’re seeing that grow quite significantly.
“Our particular pressure is in Weston.”
Responding to a BBC report that Weston General Hospital was only taking patients with Covid-19, Ms Ross said: “There’s no intention for Weston to be a so-called blue hospital - it’s not a hospital only that’s treating Covid-positive patients.
“We’re simply working to ensure we can create enough space in Weston for it to get back to operate normally as quickly as possible. We’re working together to alleviate the pressure on Weston.
“That means some people are being taken to other hospitals at the point of arrival in the ambulance. There’s a lot of focus on timely discharge out of Weston and people being properly supported at home and in the community.
“Everybody across the system is engaged to make sure we can get back to usual as quickly as possible.”
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston Trust said Weston General was under “significant pressure” but remained open as usual.
Across it and Bristol Royal Infirmary there are currently 169 Covid-19 patients, with eight on ventilation. That means coronavirus patients are taking up almost a fifth of the beds.
Medical director Dr William Oldfield said: “We assess and treat all patients on the grounds of clinical need and patient safety, and over the past few days we have admitted Covid-positive patients to Weston and admitted Covid-negative patients elsewhere to help ease pressures on Weston General Hospital.
“This is a temporary measure which is under regular review.”
He added: “We would encourage anyone who has an appointment to please attend as planned, and remind the wider public of the crucial importance of following the latest Government restrictions.”
