Get ready for winter
Across Lanarkshire, a comprehensive plan for the busy winter period has been launched by health chiefs – and the public are being urged to be ready too.
A major review of the effects of the 20172018 winter, including February’s notorious ‘Beast From The East’ has been undertaken and the findings were used to help shape the new plan.
Some GP surgeries will be open on the public holidays Boxing Day and January 2 this winter, as well as on the Saturdays of January 5 and 12.
And NHS bosses say this will build on the success of the GPS opening on Saturdays during January 2018 and the “associated positive impact” felt by A&ES in terms of reduced attendances/opportunities to redirect.
Craig Cunningham, NHS Lanarkshire’s winter planning lead, said: “The NHS Lanarkshire winter plan will ensure the public continue to receive high-quality care over our busiest period.
“We have a well-developed approach to winter planning which we improve every year with innovative approaches to ensure we can provide a rapid and effective response during the periods of greatest pressure.
“The 2018/19 winter plan reflects the lessons learned from last winter with a view to improving resilience throughout the peak winter period.”
The NHS Lanarkshire winter plan involves all parts of NHS Lanarkshire and the health and social care partnerships, including GP surgeries, the primary care out-of-hours service, pharmacies and acute hospitals.
Dr Philip Mcmenemy, NHS Lanarkshire’s associate medical director of primary care, said: “This year we will once again raise awareness of all the health experts in the community that people can access to avoid them having to wait in A&E or to get an appointment with their GP.
“This ensures we have the capacity to deal with the very sick and frail patients who need emergency care. Often there is a more appropriate community health expert to manage non-emergency issues.”
Pharmacies, community opticians and dentists can provide emergency care for a range of health issues without the need to see your GP or go to A&E. People can also locate the most appropriate care provider by using the NHS website.
Dr Mcmenemy added: “Colds, flu, vomit and diarrhoea and as well as slips, trips, and falls, are just some of things we may have to deal with during winter.
“The first port of call for any health advice should be the NHS inform at www. nhsinform.scot or by calling 0800 22 44 88. There is also lots of health care advice on NHS Lanarkshire’s website.
“If you do need to see your GP, a number of practices will also be open on Boxing Day and on January 2 as well as the Saturdays of January 5 and 12, 2019.
“Opening hours will vary and these will be publicised at your local surgery or you can contact them directly to find out.
“Patients are also reminded to ensure they have adequate supplies of their own medicines across the winter period.”