Mike
Hedges backs Call to ‘Protect the NHS’ as Wales heads into winter.
Speaking
from his Morriston Office, local Swansea East MS Mike Hedges said…. ‘ We know
that winter will see an increase in the number of people who will need medical
attention and will think about going to A & E; this year we have to be
extra careful not to over burden the emergency health services. If people need
urgent medical attention, please go to A&E; if you can get assistance from
another branch of the health service please do so. Please do not go to A&E
if you have something like toothache – lets all pull together to make life easier
for the NHS Emergency staff.’
Wales’
Health Minister is urging the public to help ‘Protect the NHS’ and keep
services clear for those who need them most.
Across
Wales, health boards and the Welsh Ambulance Service are seeing a return of
pre-lockdown behaviour and demand for services.
In
anticipation of what will be a uniquely challenging winter with the added
effects of COVID-19, people are being asked to help protect vital services for
those in most need by accessing alternative services rather than their
Emergency Department when their complaint is neither life-threatening nor
serious.
Welsh
health boards are reporting that around 20 to 30% of patients who present at
Emergency Departments could be better treated elsewhere or in a different way.
As part
of the Protect the NHS drive, people are being advised to order prescriptions 7
days before they’re due; use their local NHS pharmacy and GP service for minor
illnesses or injuries, visit the 111 / NHS Direct Wales website or phone them
for free health advice through online symptom checkers for minor ailments.
People
should still attend hospitals when asked to do so to continue or review their
treatment. Hospitals have taken a range of appropriate measures to keep people
safe, including treating people with COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 in separate
areas to those who do not have the virus to prevent the risk of it spreading.
People
are also reminded that if they have COVID symptoms not go to their pharmacy, GP
or local Emergency Department, but instead book a test through 119 and call 111
if symptoms persist or they can no longer cope at home.
Health
Minister Vaughan Gething said:
“It is
imperative our Emergency Departments and emergency ambulances are kept for
those who are in a life-threatening or serious condition. Even more so now our
EDs have reduced space to ensure social distancing, not just for patients but
for staff also.
“If
someone has a health complaint that is worrying them and won’t go away, they
can contact their pharmacy, opticians, contact the 111 website or phone
service, local surgery or health centre to be assessed. Please save our
Emergency Departments for those with serious complaints such as severe bleeding
and burns, strokes or loss of consciousness.
“During
the pandemic the people of Wales were exceptional at protecting these vital
services by accessing 111 or NHS Direct Wales and we need to move back to this
way of thinking.
“To say
coronavirus has not gone away is an understatement. We all need to remember
that our NHS staff and services are still under huge pressure. That’s why it is
even more important this year than ever that we can all do our bit by helping
us to help you to access the right service, at the right time, to protect the
NHS.”
Chief
Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service Jason Killens said:
“With
winter fast approaching and an apparent second wave of COVID-19 underway, it’s
more important than ever that people make sensible decisions when accessing the
NHS. As an ambulance service, we’ve seen a rapid return to pre-lockdown demand
levels over the last couple of weeks, so we need the public to do their bit to
reduce pressure on the emergency services. Our ambulance service exists to help
people who are seriously ill or injured or whose life is in imminent danger.
“We
need to reserve our precious resources for them, which one day might be you,
your child, your parent, your spouse or your friend. If it’s not urgent or
life-threatening, there are many, many alternatives to 999 that you can access.
By doing this, you’re protecting yourselves, others and the NHS.”
Welsh
residents are also urged to continue to keep Wales safe and prevent the spread
of COVID-19 by:
- Always
keeping a distance
- Washing
hands regularly
- Working
from home wherever possible
- Following
local restrictions
- Following
the rules about meeting people
- Staying
at home if you or anyone in your extended household has symptoms
