Health bosses say “Choose Well” this winter
Warwickshire County Council supports a new campaign launched by the NHS to encourage people across the West Midlands to “Choose Well” if they need to use NHS services, particularly over the winter period.
The number of people attending Accident and Emergency Departments and calling 999 is growing each year. Nationally, there were 3.5% more A&E visits in 2008/09 compared to 2007/08.
NHS West Midlands figures from last winter show that most of the A&E attendances were classed as minor, meaning that people could have received medical treatment or advice elsewhere. The figures also show that:
Most minor A&E attendances occurred on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays
Most minor A&E admissions occurred between the hours of 10am to 7pm
Most minor A&E attendees were between 0-17 years of age.
More males than females attended A&E for minor injuries
Hospitals and GP surgeries can get especially busy during winter, when viruses such as flu and norovirus are circulating.
With the average ambulance call-out in the West Midlands costing the NHS £190, and every A&E visit costing around £60, people choosing well can make a big difference.
The Choose Well campaign is running on the regional digital service, NHS local. At http://www.nhslocal.nhs.uk/choosewell you can find information about how winter affects emergency services. The site includes fly-on-the-wall videos in A&E and the ambulance service.
You can also see how you can do your bit by keeping well and choosing which NHS service is best to use.
The campaign is also running on buses through areas where there are particularly high numbers of people using A&E for minor conditions.
The campaign aims to direct patients to the service best suited to their illness or condition, which in many cases may be self care, pharmacies or walk in centres. It also seeks to relieve the pressure on A&E and GP services this winter.
A&E departments or calling 999 should be for genuine emergencies and people who are badly injured or showing symptoms of a critical illness such as chest pain, although it goes without saying, if you are worried the NHS is always there to help.
Encouraging people to choose the right service will help reduce the pressure on emergency services and ensure everyone receives appropriate and timely care.
Dr Rashmi Shukla, Regional Director of Public Health at NHS West Midlands, said:
“There are many different services available if people fall ill during the winter months.
“The NHS always faces more pressure at this time of year and helping people choose the right service will make sure they receive the best treatment, allowing emergency services to concentrate on those most in need.”
Ten tips for staying healthy and choosing the right treatment - make sure you Choose Well if you need to use health services:
- The best way of warming up is to keep active, which is also good for the heart. A few gentle exercises at home can keep the blood flowing properly. Extra layers of clothing, including wearing a hat to go out, and regular hot drinks and meals are just what the doctor orders for the cold weather!
- Winter always brings more coughs, colds, sore throats and flu. If you start to have the symptoms of flu or a heavy cold, stay at home, keep warm and take plenty of non-alcoholic drinks.
- If you are invited for the flu vaccine this year, make sure you take up the offer as it is the best way of preventing you catching the virus.
- Make sure you have cold and flu medications in the house, as well as other basic first aid supplies such as painkillers, plasters, bandages and anti-diarrhoea medication. When stocking up with flu remedies, check first with your GP or pharmacist if you are on other medication to make sure the medicines are right for you.
- If you are going outside when it is icy, wrap up warm, wear flat shoes or boots with non-slip soles and take a stick with you if needed. Several thinner layers of clothing keep the heat in better than one thick jumper – and wearing a hat also keeps your body heat in.
- As the festive season gathers pace, remember that eating and drinking too much can make you feel lethargic and uncomfortable – so moderation is recommended. Drink plenty of water to keep your fluid levels up if drinking alcohol, or alternate each alcoholic drink with a soft drink.
- NHS Direct is available 24 hours a day to give confidential advice and information on what to do if you, or a member of your family, are ill. Visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or ring 0845 4647
- Your local pharmacist can advise you about minor medical problems. Check your local newspaper for the opening times at your nearest pharmacy.
- All GP surgeries offer an emergency out-of-hours service. If you call when the surgery is closed, keep a pen and paper handy to take down the number of the GP’s emergency service.
- For more serious injuries or illnesses, hospital Accident & Emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including all bank holidays. Examples of serious injuries or illnesses include critical or life-threatening situations such as head injury, broken bones or dislocation, severe chest pain or breathlessness, choking and difficulty breathing, ingestion of toxic substances and severe bleeding
If it’s not an emergency, please don’t go to A&E or ring 999.