WIREDGOV

The chief executive of NHS Wales has yesterday urged the public to choose well this winter as he spoke about the plans in place to ease pressures on the NHS.

Dr Andrew Goodall has asked people not to dial 999 or visit an A and E department at the first sign of injury or illness, and instead consider using more appropriate sources of care, such as calling NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47, attending a minor injuries unit or their local pharmacy.

Speaking ahead of the Christmas holiday, Dr Goodall confirmed that health boards, local authorities and the ambulance service have implemented joint plans for dealing with winter pressures.

During winter 2012-13, the NHS in Wales, like elsewhere in the UK, experienced significant emergency pressures. But the increased focus placed on winter planning last year helped the NHS manage these pressures better than in previous winters.  

This year, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford and Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething held meetings with representatives of every health board and council in Wales and the Welsh Ambulance Service to ensure the NHS and social services are fully prepared to deal with the pressures expected in the winter season.

The revised plans, which have been approved at board level and made publically available, will ensure the NHS, local authorities and the ambulance service work together to:

• Reduce hospital admissions through improved uptake of flu vaccinations, stronger joint working with GP out of hours services, increasing use of minor injury units, greater use of advanced paramedic practitioners, alternative care pathways with the ambulance service and the use of community first responders
• Reduce length of stay through increased consultant cover, fewer delayed transfers of care, improved patient transport arrangements, and increased use of discharge lounges
• Improving flow by identification of surge capacity, extending working hours to include weekends and evenings, increase in seven-day working, and strengthened senior management and clinical presence (including therapists and social workers). This will ensure all key services remain open through the Christmas and New Year period
• Working with social care teams to speed up discharge, including additional step up/down capacity and reablement services and increasing community resource team capacity.

Health boards, local authorities and the Welsh Ambulance Service will keep their joint plans under review to ensure they help their performance over the winter period.

Dr Goodall said:

“We have been planning for the winter for some time. All NHS organisations have arrangements in place to help maintain services in the event of severe weather.

“Last year, for the first time, joint winter plans were developed. There was clear evidence of stronger joint working between health boards, local authorities and the Welsh Ambulance Service, and I am pleased to say this approach to winter planning proved successful.

“Performance improved in the majority of key indicators during last winter when compared with the previous winter. Overall NHS Wales, through effective integrated planning and the dedication of its staff, ensured continued provision of high quality services.

“I expect health boards to continue this work during the coming winter, working closely with their local authority and ambulance service partners to expedite patient flow through hospitals and into the community.”

The NHS has already seen increases in pressures and demand for emergency services over recent weeks and health boards and trusts are balancing local decisions to allow them to prioritise emergencies alongside other priorities.

Dr Goodall added:

“Emergency and urgent care services will inevitably experience high levels of demand during the winter months, which can make it difficult for NHS Wales services to deliver all services at all times. I’m urging the people of Wales to choose well this winter and to only call 999 or attend A&E in a genuine emergency.

“Our frontline staff work tirelessly to deliver safe and effective services – and I want to acknowledge their commitment and dedication to the Welsh NHS, and to the patients it serves. They work extremely hard to deliver a high quality service during very difficult times.  I continue to be hugely impressed with their efforts.”