Patients asked to minimize use of emergency services during winter

NHS chiefs urged hospitals to 'minimize' public pressure on A&E for the winter. I instructed to prepare the campaign.

NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard, in a letter to health officials, said winter planning had started earlier than usual, adding: "The pressure on the NHS has We recognize that it is likely to be substantial in emergency and critical care."

Information accompanying the letter called on hospitals to "implement winter communication strategies to support the public to minimize pressure on emergency and emergency services." increase.

The Daily Telegraph reports a new "help us help you" campaign launching later this year, encouraging people to refrain from using 999 and A&E services and stick with them. It is hoped that the public will be encouraged. for emergencies.

A&E.

An increasing number of patients are waiting more than two years for treatment, occurring when facing It was around 6,700 in June after the Covid-19 pandemic increased the waiting list.

Meanwhile, theNHS Confederation – the membership body of the organization that commissions and delivers health services for the nation – sent a letter to ministers on Friday saying that the burgeoning costs will leave people choosing. We've been skipping meals to heat our homes this winter, and living in cold, damp environments.

Health leaders fear widespread fuel shortages will increase the annual number of cold house-related deaths (estimated at 10,000) and put pressure on already overwhelmed health services.

A letter from the NHS England chief executive also said the NHS was working to reduce pressure through other means.

One goal is to increase the number of NHS 111 call handlers to 4,800 and NHS 999 call handlers to 2,500.

He also said he aims to increase capacity by at least the equivalent of 7,000 beds.