Aiming to reduce demand

NHS Tayside is launching a new campaign aimed at reducing demand on emergency departments.

The Destination Tayside campaign was announced alongside the release of a new animation telling patients how to pick the best place to go for the treatment they need.

The board believes around one in four people who choose to attend emergency departments with injuries or ailments would be treated just as well if they went elsewhere with their complaints such as their own GP, at a local pharmacy or a local minor injury and illness unit.

Dr Ron Cook, emergency medicine consultant, explained:“Members of the public have always recognised that our emergency departments are for those with genuine emergencies, however, they are not always aware of what alternatives are out there, especially when their own GP is closed.

“There are many alternatives to emergency departments and going directly to the person with the most appropriate skills is important. This can help people to get the right healthcare professional first time and can result in a speedier recovery.”

The video can be viewed now on Youtube by searching for‘Destination Tayside - Getting the Right Care at the Right Place at the Right Time’.

For more information on accessing all the different kinds of services and care visit the NHS Tayside website at www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk