An awareness campaign is underway to ensure people know the best
place to access healthcare this winter.
Right Care Right Place helps the public decide the most
appropriate service for their healthcare needs - whether they
should contact their GP or pharmacy, call NHS 24 on 111 or use
self-help guides on the NHS Inform website. Hospital emergency
departments should only be visited for critical emergencies.
The campaign features targeted advertising on television, radio
and online and aims to help alleviate pressures on the NHS and
social care ahead of an expected seasonal increase in demand.
Health Secretary visited East Lothian Community
Hospital to hear about work being undertaken to address delayed
discharges. The hospital supports patients leaving acute
hospitals who require intermediate care before returning home.
Mr Gray said:
“We have been working closely with colleagues across the NHS and
social care to make sure we are as prepared as possible ahead of
winter.
“Public information and awareness of the treatment options and
how to access them when needed is key to ensuring services are
directed where they are most needed.
“This will help everyone to get the right care, in the right
place as quickly as possible while helping alleviate pressures on
the rest of the NHS. People can also help by making sure they
receive their Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Covid-19 and flu
vaccinations if eligible.”
Background
Self-help guides can be
found on NHS inform and include advice on the most common winter
illnesses.
Health and social care:
winter preparedness plan 2024 to 2025 - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
