Stay away from A&E unless illness is life-threatening
●Emergency doctors will see patients by video to deliver more care at home
The Scottish Government is urging people to avoid A&E unless they have a life -threatening condition to pre - vent the NHS being overwhelmed this winter.
While health b osses insist lo cal A&E departments will remain open for those who need it, people with non-life threatening conditions are being advised to call NHS 24 instead.
The phone service will then either recommend patients go to A&E if it is the right place for them, or direct them to alternative services to relieve the pressure on hospitals and crowded waiting areas.
Telephone and video consultations with a senior clinician may also be arranged by NHS 24 as par t of the strateg y, and that could then see a patient offered an appointment to attend at A&E, again to avoid crowding for long periods of time in hospital waiting rooms.
The Scottish Government said that it was important that people get the “right care in the right place”, with the public b eing asked to use the NHS website, phone NHS 24 on 111 or contact their local GP during the day if they require medical advice or assistance.
NHS 24 can also transfer patients to a Mental Health Hub and minor injur y units for complaints such as deep cuts, a broken or sprained ankle or a painful burn injur y. For those
seeking mental health advice, Breathing Space, a confidential phone line for those feeling anxious or depressed, is also available.
Announcing the move, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The NHS is always there for you. However, for many of us, A&E is not the right place for the care we need.
"That is why we are making it easier to get the right care in the right place.
"From December, if you think you need to go to A&E for care that is not life-threatening, the NHS 24 telephone service on 111 will be available day and night to direct you to the care you need.
“Your GP Practice is also always there for you and can be contacted for urgent but non-life threatening conditions. However, in an emergency, you should continue to call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department.
“By doing so, we will continue to help our doctors and nurses through this pandemic, and ensure A&E provides the fastest and most appropriate care for people when they really need it.
"Help us keep you and our NHS safe by making the right call at the right time to access the right care in the right place for you and your family.”
Those with life-threatening conditions including suspected heart attacks, strokes, severe breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, or severe injury should continue togo straight to A&E or call 999 for an ambulance.
The Scottish Government says the“new way of delivering urgent care ”, supported by a £20 million funding package, had been designed to help people get the right care in the right place at time when there is increased pressure on NHS services.
Anyone with symptoms suggestive of Covid-19 should not attend A&E and should adhere to public health advice. They should contact the NHS. to arrange to be tested – either online at nhsinform.scot, or by calling 0800 028 2816.
Meanwhile, scores of Edinburgh Na pier University student nurses and mid wives have again rallied behind the national drive to combat Covid-19 by signing up to assist with the asymptomatic testing programme for students.
Around 100 are working at two testing sites in the city until December 9, helping their fellow students make informed decisions about returning home for Christmas and minimising the risk of spreading the virus.
Many of the same students were among 1,000 from the university’s School of Health and Social Care who earlier took up placements alongside NHS workers in hospitals and care homes at the height of the pandemic in the spring.
Universities and colleges are utilising lateral flow devices (LFDS) – a clinically validated swab antigen test that does not require a laboratory for processing and can produce rapid results at the test location.
Students will be offered twoLFDtests,s paced three days apart which are bookable through their college or university. Those receiving two negative results will be encouraged to safely return home as soon as is practical after the second result. If either test returns a positive result, the student will be asked to self-isolate.