NHS boss ready for the winter

Now is time to prepare

The top man in NHS Lanarkshire has received his flu jab – and now he is urging the public to be ready for winter too.

Chief executive Calum Campbell got his vaccination from occupational health support nurse Pauline Shannon.

And he says residents can help medics at the busiest time of the year if they plan ahead for the winter months.

Mr Campbell said: “We can all take a few easy steps to be ready for winter.

“Find out if your GP and pharmacist are opening extra hours at Christmas and New Year.

“Order your repeat prescriptions early, stock up on over- the- counter remedies for common winter illnesses like coughs and colds and get the flu vaccination if you’re in the right age group or have particular health needs.

“Norovirus, colds, flu and winter weather all make this the health service’s busiest time of year.

“But I’m confident we have a tried and tested approach to winter planning in Lanarkshire, which we’re improving every year with measures to ensure we can provide a rapid and effective response during the periods of greatest pressure.”

The winter plan involves all parts of NHS Lanarkshire. A key feature is additional opening hours for many GP practices on the Mondays and Tuesdays following Christmas and New Year.

These arrangements are for patients registered with the practices who need an urgent appointment. Other patients who require an urgent appointment and cannot wait until their GP practice is open should call NHS 24 on 111 for advice.

Contingency plans have been drawn up in case of bad weather so patients who must attend hospital are able to get the treatment they need.

Precaution Calum Campbell gets his flu jab