Tag: NHS 24

NHS 24: Sun Safety Tips

It’s set to be a scorcher over much of Scotland this weekend 🥵 If you’re planning to be outdoors follow our sun safety tips:

☀️ Taps aff? Slap the sun cream on!

Don’t be stingy, slather on a minimum of SPF 30 (but SPF 50 is even better!) over any exposed skin.

💧 Hydrate, hydrate, HYDRATE!

Don’t wait till your gaspin’. Drink regularly throughout the day – water and diluted juice are good choices, but ice poles and ice lollies count too. It might be tempting to crack out the beers when it is hot, but remember alcohol is a diuretic meaning it can cause dehydration. Alternate any alcoholic drinks with water or just juice.

🌡️ Hide during the hottest temperatures

The sun is at it’s sassiest between 11am and 3pm and UV levels are at their highest. Try to keep in the shade as much as possible during these times.

👒 Cover up those pasty bits!

You might want to shed some clothing when it’s roastin’, but your skin will thank you if it’s kept covered up. Think loose, cool fabrics like cotton, your fave pair of sunnies 🕶️, and a big hat to keep the lugs, face and neck protected.

🍼 Mind those that need some extra help

Wee tots shouldn’t be in any direct sunlight for any length of time. Babies and bairns can get overheated quickly, so keep a close eye and make sure they are dressed properly for the hot weather.

Keep a check on the auld yins and anyone who has a long-term medical condition too

For more guidance and advice on how to stay safe in hot weather check out our page on #NHSinform

NHS 24: Summer Holiday advice

PACK – PLAN – PROTECT

Heading off on your holidays this summer? ✈️🏕️#PackPlanProtect!

Even if you are heading away from home only for a night or two, don’t forget to pack any prescribed medicines!

It’s also a good idea to consider taking with you:

🔹paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief

🔹anti-histamines to help with allergies like hay fever

🔹anti-diarrhoeal medication and rehydration sachets for diarrhoea

🔹indigestion remedies like an antacid

🔹mild laxatives for constipation

🔹medicines specifically for children

For more tips check out our summer health advice page on #NHSinform.

NHS 24: Stroke? Think FAST!

FACE – ARMS – SPEECH – TIME

Strokes are serious and time-sensitive medical emergencies that require immediate attention. Knowing how to quickly recognise the signs can be crucial in saving a life. That’s where the FAST method comes in – an easy-to-remember acronym to help you spot the signs of a stroke.

Strokes can strike anyone, regardless of age or gender. Remember, every minute counts when it comes to strokes.

Stay informed, share this knowledge with your loved ones, and help spread awareness 💙

Health Secretary praises NHS resilience

Services dealing with ‘extraordinary surge’ in flu cases

Health Secretary Neil Gray underlined the ‘resolve and resilience’ of the NHS as he praised the dedication of Scotland’s health and social care workforce in facing up to an ‘extraordinary surge’ in Influenza A cases.

The number of patients admitted to hospital as an emergency and testing positive for flu has surpassed the recent peak of the winter of 2022/23.

Following the latest in a series of meetings with First Minister John Swinney, health boards, the Scottish Ambulance Service, Public Health Scotland and NHS 24 earlier this week, Mr Gray praised the NHS response to the increased pressures on the system, in a statement to parliament.

He also thanked members of the public for continuing to follow guidance on the best way to access services, and for doing their bit to reduce the spread of infections in the community.

He stated that, as of 15 December, more than 1.2 million adult flu vaccinations have been administered. Those eligible to be vaccinated have until March to do so, with many health boards offering drop-in clinics.

Mr Gray said expert healthcare advice is available without the need for an appointment through the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service, adding that £13.6 million of additional funding has been invested in General Practices to enable the recruitment and retention of staff.

Services such as Discharge to Assess and Hospital at Home are also key to helping health and social care partnerships to reduce delayed discharges, ensuring people who are clinically ready to leave hospital can do so.

Mr Gray said: “The resilience and determination shown by staff in the face of pressures across the health and care sector is inspiring.

“Every part of our health service has gone above and beyond to serve the country during the hardest months of the year.

“I’d like to thank the ambulance service staff for their sacrifice and devotion to their task, staying at work beyond the end of their shift as they wait to turnaround at hospitals.

“I’d also like to thank social care staff doing extra shifts to make up for staff being off sick with flu and GPs working at the weekends to offer appointments and bolster the resilience of the entire system.

“Hospital staff, like the porter I met at St John’s in Livingston on Christmas Eve, are working hard to turnaround beds as quickly as possible.

“This is the reality of public service – relentless, skilled, devoted and dedicated work to serve the people that need it most.

“Thanks to the incredible efforts of NHS staff and sure-handed planning, we are facing this with resilience and resolve.”

NHS 24: Service under pressure

📢 IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ.

Today is one of the busiest days of the year for the 111 service and our staff are working extremely hard to answer all calls as quickly and as safely as possible.

The information you need may be available at #NHSinform – check out the links below for more advice.

💊Medication Queries:

For advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medicines, visit our guide. https://nhs24.info/accessing-medicines

🤧 Seasonal Ailments:

Check out NHS inform for advice on common illnesses and symptom checkers to guide your next steps. https://nhs24.info/winter-illness

📱 NHS 24 Online App:

Get health advice and locate nearby services, like pharmacies, with our free app for iOS and Android. https://nhs24.info/NHS-24-Online

✔️ Use NHS Resources Wisely:

Find out more about accessing the Right Care, Right Place: Learn more. https://nhs24.info/RightCareRightPlace

📞 Helpful Tips for Calls:

Use Wi-Fi calling and ensure your phone is charged to prevent disconnections due to network demand.

NHS 24 does not disconnect calls; network issues may cause interruptions.

If you still need to speak to us by dialling 111 please be patient, our dedicated team will answer. If you can try the above options first, it could save you time. We want to help you get the right care, in the right place. 💙

FLU: What To Do

Having the flu can leave you feeling awful, but there are steps you can take to speed up your recovery:

Do:

✅ Rest and get plenty of sleep

✅ Keep warm

✅Drink lots of water to stay hydrated

✅ Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce your temperature and ease aches and pains

✅ Stay off work or school until you’re feeling better

Don’t:

❌ Take paracetamol alongside flu remedies that also contain paracetamol

You can check your symptoms and decide what to do next by visiting

https://nhs24.info/flu

First Minister encourages public to help protect front line services

NHS 24 resilience over festive period

An information campaign and increased recruitment of call handlers are among the initiatives NHS 24 has put in place to help protect vital front line health and care services over the festive period.

First Minister John Swinney visited the NHS 24 call centre in Dundee to observe preparations ahead of the Christmas and New Year period and to express his gratitude to staff.

NHS 24 has been working proactively to bolster resilience and alleviate pressure on both the 111 service and other primary care resources. Initiatives include:

  • Launching a winter campaign focused on digital information and encouraging people to prepare ahead of service closures.
  • Recruiting a record number of call handlers and additional clinical supervisors to strengthen capacity.
  • Prioritising frontline services, including suspending non-essential activities within call centres and managing staff annual leave to maximize availability.

The First Minister said: “The festive period is traditionally very challenging for the NHS. The resilience and determination shown by staff in the face of pressures; both at NHS 24 and across the wider health and care sector is truly inspiring.

“NHS 24 data shows that a quarter of calls to 111 can be resolved online, and the service is encouraging more people to take advantage of its digital self-help guides for faster, more convenient care.

“These online tools can help ensure our front line services can focus on those who need urgent care.”

NHS 24’s Medical Director, Dr Ron Cook, said: “Our digital services use the same clinical advice people get if they call NHS 24 and offer a great first option when people are unwell and are not sure if they need to seek further help.

“We are advising patients to save time and look after symptoms safely and effectively at home by using NHS inform or the NHS 24 Online app’s symptom checkers which will give clinically assured health advice on a wide range of conditions including coughs, rashes, stomach bugs, or back pain.

“By checking symptoms online this will give advice on how best to manage your condition or what to do next if further help is required.”

The Right Care, Right Place campaign reminds the public to use healthcare services appropriately:

  • For advice on minor illnesses and injuries, visit www.nhs24.scot.
  • Call 111 for urgent but non-life-threatening health concerns.
  • Always call 999 in an emergency.