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Health professionals gearing up for winter season
18/10/2024
The priority is ensuring people who need medical treatment can access services to get the care they need
Health professionals from across the health and social care system in Oxfordshire will once again work together this winter to provide safe, effective, and sustainable care for local people.
Staff from the county’s hospitals, GP practices and social services will be working with community health, ambulance and mental health services, and the voluntary sector, through what is always a high-pressure season for health and social care services.
Lisa Glynn, Interim Chief Operating Officer at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), said: “Winter is the busiest season for health services – as temperatures drop, we see more respiratory illnesses like RSV and, of course, flu. After another busy year, the winter team’s priority is to ensure that people who need medical treatment are able to access services to get the care they need.
“We all know that, more often than not, treatment closer to home is what’s best for patients – they can be looked after in a home setting, in familiar surroundings, and with their home comforts. As always, we’re working hard with our health and social care colleagues to get people safely home from hospital as quickly as possible, but also addressing the other end of the scale and preventing unnecessary hospital admissions.”
Hospital Emergency Departments often see the highest demand in winter. The Oxford University Hospitals Trust team are working hard to improve the service’s performance this year.
But people are reminded that Emergency Departments are for genuine emergencies – if you need medical help but it’s not urgent then local Pharmacies, Minor Injuries Units, or a GP are best-placed to help. For those unsure where to go for help NHS 111 can provide advice.
GP practices are contacting those patients eligible for the free flu jab and COVID-19 booster and we’re advised to protect ourselves by taking this up if offered.
Dr Ed Capo Bianco, an Oxfordshire GP, said: “It is important to keep yourself well this winter. Having a personal winter plan might include stocking up on the cold and flu medicines in your medicine cabinet at home, as well as thinking about other supplies that can help you manage if we have a cold snap. It is also important to make sure that if you do have a long-term condition like diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure you take your prescribed medication and attend any review appointments that are due.
“If you do fall ill, you can get helpful advice from your local pharmacy or get in touch with 111 online or by phone. And don’t forget to download the NHS App, it has lots of advice on hundreds of conditions and can help you access health services.”
Oxfordshire County Council’s social care team play an integral role in reducing hospital admissions, and supporting those who require a hospital admission to get home as quickly as possible.
Last winter, South Central Ambulance Service attended over 216,000 emergency 999 incidents, of which just over 73% were for category one or category two emergencies – the highest category of calls for the most seriously ill or injured patients. The service is urging people to only call 999 if they are facing a life-threatening or serious emergency that requires immediate treatment and are unable to get themselves to hospital or other treatment centre.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam