Choose Well and access right service

WINTER challenges put extra pressure on health and social services and people are being urged to Choose Well and access the right services first time to get quicker advice or assurance when they or their family become unexpectedly unwell.

The winter Choose Well campaign, encouraging people to make the right choices for nonemergency treatment, is launched this week.

It forms part of Welsh

Government support for NHS Wales which also includes providing an additional £30m for health boards, the ambulance service and local authorities to help them add community-based, hospital bed and social care capacity in preparation for the increased winter pressures.

Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething said: “Emergency departments and ambulance services have had their busiest year ever so far. Winter brings with it additional challenges, including cold and icy conditions, flu, increased hospital admissions for older people and more people using GP and urgent care services.

“The pressures are felt by our staff as well as patients and their families.

“It is vital we all make sure we choose the right health services for symptoms that are not life threatening.

“Evidence suggests around one in five people who go to their local emergency department don’t need to be there. Choosing alternatives such as the online symptom checker and telephone services of NHS Direct Wales or visiting a local pharmacist means people are able to access advice more quickly.

“The majority of high street opticians can also provide advice and care for eye conditions, just look out for the NHS logo.”