Winter care plan launch

NHS Lanarkshire has launched a comprehensive care plan for the busy winter period – and the public are being urged to be ready too.

Medics have made special arrangements to cope with an anticipated rise in people seeking medical treatment.

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 associate medical director 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.

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.”