KNOW WHERE TO GO
Do you know where to get the Right Care in the Right Place?
By using NHS resources wisely, we can keep well and get the care we need quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.
Find out more about #RightCareRightPlace: https://nhs24.info/RightCareRightPlace
An awareness campaign has been to launched to make sure people know the best place to go for healthcare over the winter.
Right Care Right Place has been rolled out earlier than in previous years to help Scots know which health setting is best for their medical concerns, and in turn to help alleviate pressures on the NHS and social care ahead of an expected increase in demand.
The campaign, featuring targeted advertising on television, radio and online, tells people how to access the most appropriate care for their physical or mental health needs.
The public is advised to use self-help guides on the NHS inform website, visit their local pharmacy for advice, telephone NHS 24 on 111, or contact their general practice surgery. Accident & Emergency departments should be used only for genuine emergencies.
The series of self-help guides include advice on the most common winter illnesses, based on the health concerns raised on calls to NHS24 on 111.
Health Secretary Michael Matheson said: ““Since early spring we have been working closely with colleagues across the NHS and social care to make sure that every possible mitigation is in place ahead of winter. Our Winter Plan will be published later this month.
“Public information and awareness is a key part of our plan, and that’s why we are starting our awareness campaign earlier than in previous years.
“Through this campaign we want to make sure the public know exactly how to access services when they need them. This will help everyone to get the right care, in the right place as quickly as possible. Crucially, it will also help to alleviate pressures on the rest of the system. People can also help by making sure they get their Covid and flu vaccinations if eligible.”
Self-help guides can be found on NHS inform
Speaking in Tuesday, Calum Campbell, Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said the healthcare system was under extreme duress as a result of an increase in the numbers of emergency patients, large numbers of delayed discharge patients and an increase in respiratory illnesses.
He said teams at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, St John’s Hospital, the Western General Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People were all being pushed to the limit.
To help free up vital beds, he said that some relatives may be asked if they can provide care to their loved ones as an interim measure while those packages of care to help in their own homes are put in place by their local Health and Social Care Partnership.
He said: “These challenges are unprecedented, but they are also sustained. We need people in Lothian to help their own communities and the NHS.
“We have large numbers of people waiting to be admitted into a hospital bed, so I would urge everyone who is asked to provide care to their loved one to give the request some serious consideration.”
Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Lothian, said: “Our teams will have carried out a robust clinical assessment before they discuss the temporary possibilities with patients and their families.
“We know that most patients want to return home as soon as they possibly can, especially at this time of year. This would also help our teams and the patients waiting to be admitted.
“Also, if you have a loved one in hospital who has been discharged and requires to be collected, please do so as early in the day as possible.”
The primary care sector in Lothian also experienced one of its busiest days to date on Monday (19th December) as they provided care to increasing numbers of adults and children, especially families with concerns around Strep A following recent increases in the virus.
Jenny Long, Director of Primary Care, NHS Lothian, urged people to remember that there were a number of winter viruses in circulation and to consider NHS Inform and their local pharmacist for help and advice, use over the counter medication, drink plenty of fluids and rest.
Cold-type symptoms such as a runny nose or mild cough are more likely to suggest a viral illness.
If you have a sore throat, but can eat and drink, and don’t have a very high temperature then it is likely to be a common virus and there is no need to contact your GP.
The most up to date information on Strep A can be found at
As Christmas and Hogmanay both fall on the weekend this year, most health care providers will have different opening hours from usual.
Ahead of the busy festive holiday, NHS 24 is reminding people across Scotland to be aware of changes to opening hours for their local GP practice and pharmacies.
Dr Laura Ryan, NHS 24’s Medical Director says, “We are anticipating very high call volumes over the festive break and a continued high demand for the 111 service. NHS 24 staff continue to work tirelessly, with a commitment to deliver safe and effective services 24/7 and answer every call as quickly as possible.
“It’s vital that everyone is aware of what help and advice there is out there over the Christmas and new year public holidays.
“For any health care advice or information that is urgent, but not life-threatening, go online and use nhsinform.scot. NHS inform has lots of health guidance, whether that be self-care advice, information on the appropriate healthcare providers that are close to home. It also explains when and why to call the 111 service.
“Scotland’s Service Directory is a brilliant resource and can be accessed on NHS inform, but very easily on NHS 24’s new app NHS 24 Online. The website and app have the handy ‘Find my Nearest’ function that allows the user to locate health and care services within their local area by using their post code or location. They will be able to see how far away each service is, if it is open or closed, and phone numbers for the service. The app can be downloaded quickly, and could make seeking advice even more convenient.”
Dr Ryan continues: “We are grateful for the public’s patience and understanding if they have to wait to access the 111 service during this period of high demand. By encouraging the public to have ‘Healthy Know How,’ it is hoped more people in Scotland will have a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.”
“If you do fall ill over the festive period, it’s essential you know where to get the right care, in the right place. Anyone in a situation considered life-threatening or an emergency, should still always call 999 or go straight to the Emergency Department.”
Dr Ryan’s advice is part of a NHS Scotland national health campaign ‘Healthy Know How.’ The campaign provides advice on how to stay well and enjoy the festivities, avoiding the need to get medical help over the holidays. Tips include:
More details on the Healthy Know How campaign can be found here – www.nhsinform.scot/winter
Scots are being urged to play their part to ease pressure on the NHS this winter as an awareness campaign is launched.
Targeted advertising on TV, radio and online will encourage people to get the right care in the right place – diverting them away from busy A&E wards where appropriate.
It will make clear that – if a condition is not life-threatening – people can visit their local pharmacy, dial NHS 24 on 111, or contact their GP. It will also signpost people to the NHS Inform website which provides practical self-help guides.
Pandemic backlogs, Brexit-driven staff shortages and inflation costs have all contributed to make this the most challenging winter the NHS has ever faced.
This advertising campaign is the latest step in the £600 million winter resilience plan which is already recruiting an extra 1,000 extra staff, vaccinating the public from COVID-19 and the flu, and prioritising care for the most vulnerable.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf visited Edinburgh’s Bangholm Medical Centre to hear experiences of how multi-disciplinary teams are already embracing the approach. He said: “I am under no illusion that this winter will be the toughest in the history of our great NHS, which is why I am pulling every lever at my disposal to help ease pressure where possible.
“This campaign will make it easier than ever to know where to go to get the right care in the right place – saving patients time and freeing up space in our emergency departments.
“It is the latest step in our £600 million resilience plan to support our NHS through the tough winter ahead, which will recruit 1,000 extra staff, vaccinate the public from COVID-19 and flu, and prioritise care for the most vulnerable.”
Peju Adeyemo, Physician Associate, at Bangholm Medical Centre said: “Physician associates are healthcare professionals with a generalist medical education, who work alongside doctors providing medical care as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team.
“We are able to alleviate pressure on GPs because we can see a broad spectrum of patients, provide holistic care and follow up. Furthermore, we are able to see more acute patients thereby freeing up time for GPs to see more chronic conditions where 15 minutes appointments may not be suitable.”
CALL 111 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
NHS Lothian’s experts at the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) treat strains, sprains, suspected broken bones, wounds, burns, stings and bites.
Call 111 to make an appointment if you need it.
If you have questions about how your GP practice is working at the moment? Check out this handy Q&A.
NHS Lothian healthcare services continue to be under extreme pressure, please help us by making sure you access the right care in the right place.
If you have a minor injury please call 111 free to be referred to the right service.
They will arrange an appointment if you need to attend hospital. Or, if appropriate, they can schedule an appointment for a confidential assessment by video call with a Nurse practitioner.
People will be able to get healthcare advice and support to treat minor illnesses and common conditions in their local community following the launch of a new service.
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland will allow community pharmacies to give people expert help for treating conditions such as sore throats, earache and cold sores, along with common clinical conditions such as Urinary Tract Infections. Pharmacy teams will offer advice, treatment or referral to other healthcare teams if required.
This new service will help people access the right care in the right place, without having to go to their GP practice or local Accident and Emergency Department for non-urgent treatment.
Everyone who is registered with a GP practice in Scotland, or who lives in Scotland, is encouraged to use their local pharmacy when they have a minor illness or common condition. Accident and Emergency Departments remain open for emergency care, with public health measures in place to protect staff and patients.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “During the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic people followed public heath guidance closely and used their local pharmacy for medical advice and help.
“The launch of NHS Pharmacy First Scotland will make sure that people across Scotland can continue to do this. It gives access to the right care in the right place, getting medical support that is closer to home and often with no waiting time or appointments needed.
“While the NHS is there for all of us, we don’t all need to go to accident and emergency. For many of us, it is not the right place for the care we need. NHS Pharmacy First Scotland provides a local service, giving local access to healthcare help for many illnesses.
“In an emergency you should always call 999 or go to your nearest accident and emergency department. By continuing to do what we have been doing throughout this pandemic and accessing the right care in the right place, we continue to help our emergency teams and ensure accident and emergency provides the fastest and often lifesaving care for people when they really need it.”
Chair of Community Pharmacy Scotland Martin Green said: “NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is an exciting service development for everyone.
“It recognises the role that the community pharmacy network can play in helping patients and the wider NHS team by ensuring people get the right care in the right place. Pharmacists, supported by their pharmacy teams, will be able to offer consultations for anyone with minor illnesses and provide the appropriate advice and support.
“We look forward to community pharmacy demonstrating its value with the Scottish public through this service and developing it further in years to come in line with the needs of the public and the NHS.”
Postgraduate Pharmacy Dean at NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Anne Watson said: “NES are delighted to be underpinning this important service development by providing educational support for the community pharmacy teams – using online resources, national webinars and facilitating peer discussion forums with experts within the Boards.
“In addition, we have provided a quick reference guide sent to all community pharmacies and education and training to support common clinical conditions will continue to be a focus as the service expands.”
More information on NHS Pharmacy First Scotland will be available online and on NHS Inform later today – 29 July 2020.
