Beast from the East lessons
Plans to keep health services running smoothly were discussed at a recent strategy meeting in North Lanarkshire Council’s Motherwell headquarters.
The Performance, Finance and Audit Committee – which includes representatives of NHS Lanarkshire and the council – met to discuss the plans.
A multi-agency winter planning group was tasked with submitting its draft plan in September and work is also ongoing to anticipate increased pressure on services that may result from the winter conditions.
A major review of the effects of the 2017-2018 winter, including February’s notorious “Beast From The East”, has also been undertaken and the findings were used to help shape the new plans.
Some GP surgeries will be open on the public holidays Boxing Day and January 2, as well as on the Saturdays of January 5 and 12.
This will build on the success of the GPS opening on Saturdays during January 2018 and the “associated positive impact” felt by A& E departments in terms of reduced attendances/ opportunities to re-direct.
Back at the start of the year, over 50 per cent of Lanarkshire’s 103 general medical practices, covering half of the local population, opened on Saturday mornings to help meet the increased need for GP appointments as a result of the exceptionally high levels of winter illness.
Publicity efforts will also highlight the importance of the flu vaccine for vulnerable groups such as children and over-65s, as well as encouraging patients to make sure their supplies of medication will not run out during the festive period.
Care homes will also be given specialist advice on how to prepare for winter, such as what to do in the event of a possible norovirus outbreak.
NHS Lanarkshire has been given £1 million by the Scottish Government and has also earmarked £500,000 of its own funding specifically for winterrelated issues. Its plans currently exceed that level of expenditure so it is seeking additional funding sources.
A report that went before councillors said: “Strong progress is being made in finalising the Lanarkshire winter plan in conjunction with partners.”
It added: “Work is continuing in identifying any additional resources, surge capacity and other contingencies which may be required such that the respective mitigating actions can be set in place to help offset the challenges of additional pressure across the system in winter.”
Jeane Freeman MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, wrote to NHS Lanarkshire in August.
One of her instructions was to prioritise adequate staffing cover during the festive period, including clinicians, pharmacists, and other staff.
She concluded: “The Scottish Government will continue to engage with you over the coming months and throughout winter.”