The winter season is pretty much round the corner which means those freezing hands, sniffles and coughs are almost here. Although you might not need to specifically go to the A&E to treat your chesty cough, the strain on the NHS has been immensely high, especially during the last 19 months with COVID-19.
For that reason and to help deal with conditions accordingly this winter season, the NHS has started the campaign ‘Together we can’. The campaign was created to urge people to work together and understand the services the NHS provide and choose the right department to contact in relation to any conditions they face.
A dedicated website is launching soon which describes in depth the different services the NHS provide and is catered to all different types of people from all different age groups. The website is filled with key information so people can fully understand not only the services provided by the NHS but also to help them understand their condition in more detail.
Advertising on the campaign will be brought out in the coming days as leaflets will be distributed in local GP surgeries, pharmacies and other health care providers.
Many people who could call the NHS 111 service to treat their symptoms don’t call and end up in the A&E which costs the NHS a lot of money.
The chair of NHS Kirklees CCG and GP Dr Khalid Naeem in Batley has said: “NHS services are already extremely busy. If you’re unwell or injured, it’s important to choose the right service to make sure you get the best treatment as quickly as possible. There are a wide range of options available. You may not need to see your GP or go to A&E”.
“If you’re unsure what service to choose, you can call 111 for advice or visit the website. The 111 service can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP, arrange a face-to-face appointment if you need one, tell you how to get the medicine you need or provide self-care advice.”
This information is vital especially in this time of winter as hospital admissions spike in this period of the year.
The chair of NHS Calderdale CCG and GP in Halifax, Dr Steven Cleasby has said, “Health services across our areas are the busiest they’ve ever been, and this campaign is about giving people the information they need to choose the right service for their health needs so they can get the treatment they need quickly.
“I’d urge people to go to www.togetherwe-can.com, take a look at the information that’s there and bookmark it on your web browser or create a shortcut to it on your smartphone’s home screen. It’s a really useful tool that could make all the difference to you and your family.
“Together we can get the help we need, when we need it, and help our health services to be as efficient as possible.”
