Health and care services in Gloucestershire prepare for challenging winter

KEY REPRESENTATIVES URGE THE PUBLIC TO FOLLOW PRACTICAL TIPS TO HELP THEM STAY WELL WHEREVER POSSIBLE

HEALTH and care leaders in Gloucestershire are predicting a very challenging winter but they say their services will be working more closely than ever to plan ahead and make the best use of all available resources.

The public is also being urged to follow practical tips to help them stay well wherever possible and work alongside the local services to support the most vulnerable

This is why key representatives from the One Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Partnership joined a wide-ranging live Q&A video broadcast on the Gloucestershire Live Facebook page.

Dr Helen Mansfield (Emergency Medicine Consultant), Sarah Scott (Executive Director of Adult Social Care, Wellbeing & Communities), and Dr Hein le Roux (GP) answered questions from Content and Audience Editor Jenni Phillips as well as those posted online by readers.

Watched almost 3,000 times, the live Q&A saw the panel talking about the emerging Winter Plan for Gloucestershire, the scale of the challenge ahead, and what to do if you’re ill or injured.

STRONG PLAN

Medical Director at NHS Gloucestershire, Dr Andy Seymour explained that health and social care partners are working very closely together in preparation for the winter months.

He said: “Due to the pressure already being experienced by health and care teams, rising levels of seasonal illness and the complex needs of many service users, this will be a very difficult winter for sure.

“We are doing all we can to plan in advance and ensure we have a strong plan that strengthens our ability to cope, respond as one at times of peak pressure and maintain the very best care for service users.”

In support of this year’s emerging Winter Plan for Gloucestershire, more than £12m worth of additional national and local funds have been agreed upon.

A whole raft of measures is being put in place to help services and staff to take the strain over the coming months, including investing in staff, services and additional beds, ward space and discharge areas.

BEST POSSIBLE MEASURES

Medical Director at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Professor Mark Pietroni said: “Our comprehensive plan is about putting service users at the heart of all we do.

“Despite the inevitable pressures that will face health and care services this winter, our priority is ensuring we have the best possible measures in place to maintain high-quality care for those most in need.”

“However, we are being honest about the scale of the challenge and understand the health and care workforce is already working harder and longer than ever before.”

“We are strongly urging people to only call 999 or visit the two A&E Departments if it’s a life-threatening situation or a serious injury and please show respect and kindness towards all staff in the months ahead and remember they are doing their very best to help them.”

“We are also asking relatives and carers to do everything they can to work with us to get their loved ones home from hospital as quickly and as safely as possible, with additional support if necessary, from local NHS community services or adult social care teams.”

ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES

Medical Director at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Amjad Uppal, said: “The colder months always present additional challenges, particularly for our service users who are vulnerable, perhaps through their age or medical conditions. This will be a really tough winter so it’s important we all play our part in keeping people safe and well.”

“We are working with our partners as well as our communities to plan and join up community services and support, but everyone can help so please work with us and look out for family, friends and neighbours at what is a difficult time for many.”

PROTECT YOURSELF

Director of Public Health at Gloucestershire County Council, Siobhan Farmer said: “Getting vaccinated remains the best way to protect against Covid-19 and seasonal viruses. If you are eligible for a Covid booster, flu jab, or both, I’d urge you to take up the offer as soon as possible.”

“We know there is a lot to think about as we head into this winter, including the cost of living. Whether it’s prioritising your mental health, eating well, staying active, keeping warm or looking out for vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, our Stay Well This Winter campaign provides links to a wealth of information and resources, including through the council’s Support Hub.”

IF YOU ARE ILL OR INJURED

If you or a loved one is starting to feel unwell, get early advice at your community pharmacy, particularly if you have a long-term health condition.

If you are ill or injured and not sure where to turn, the local ASAP Glos NHS App and website and 111.nhs.uk can guide you to the right support and services.

The 111 phone service can also provide advice and book you into local NHS services if needed.

THOSE NEW MEASURES • GP surgeries working

together to offer additional appointments during evenings and on Saturdays

• Increasing the resilience of

NHS 111 and 999 services

• Recruiting additional staff across health and social care, including Nurses and Health Care Assistants

• Ensuring services are in place

to assess, treat and support older people and people with mental health needs to return home from hospital on the same day, with ongoing support if required

• Increasing capacity in the A&E

departments and ensuring people are seen by the most appropriate member of the team first time, by-passing waiting in A&E if appropriate and going straight to an assessment service

• Social Workers working in

the two large hospitals to help avoid unnecessary hospital stays and to support planning for post-hospital care (investing over £500,000)

• Investing in additional

Nhs-funded beds, including in the community and in the independent sector

• Making sure arrangements are

in place for people to leave hospital safely, with additional staff working in the hospital-to-home teams, investing in more care home beds, and increasing access to reablement and domiciliary (home) care staff - providing nursing care for patients and families at home where needed

• Building on existing

arrangements to develop a hub dedicated to serious respiratory infections, with patients receiving same-day access to care out of hospital while also creating additional capacity for hospitals and ambulance services

• Significant expansion of

Virtual Wards to support people in the place they call home e.g. trauma, frailty and respiratory conditions

• Increasing capacity in joined

up community health and care teams/rapid response services

• Voluntary sector organisation

partners providing a follow-up service to ensure patients are being supported to remain at home after leaving hospital

• Making best use of the

two large hospital sites to ensure planned surgery can continue and reducing the backlog built up during the COVID-19 pandemic.