Sick Scots advised to make use of ‘digital self-help guides’ earlier than bothering hospitals or GPs as FM John Swinney says NHS faces ‘very difficult’ winter
John Swinney told sick Scots to use ‘digital self-help guides’ before seeking in-person medical treatment today as he warned the NHS faces a ‘very challenging’ winter.
The First Minister highlighted health service stats showing that a quarter of calls to 111 could be dealt with online, and said the official guides would allow the ill to get faster, more convenient care’.
Amid a crisis in the NHS he said that going online for help ‘can help ensure our frontline services can focus on those who need urgent care’.
Last week it was revealed Scotland’s hospitals face being overrun this winter as flu admissions are three times higher than last year, having almost doubled in a week.
A Public Health Scotland (PHS) report showed the number of patients admitted for emergency care spiked by 82 per cent last week, from 372 to 677.
This compares to just 232 admissions during the same week last year and is the highest number so far this winter.
Mr Swinney, speaking as he visited the NHS 24 call centre in Dundee to observe preparations for over Christmas and new year, said: ‘The festive period is traditionally very challenging for the NHS.
‘NHS 24 data shows that a quarter of calls to 111 can be resolved online, and the service is encouraging more people to take advantage of its digital self-help guides for faster, more convenient care.’
The First Minister highlighted health service stats showing that a quarter of calls to 111 could be dealt with online, and said the official guides would allow the ill to get faster, more convenient care’.
Amid a crisis in the NHS he said that going online for help ‘can help ensure our frontline services can focus on those who need urgent care’.
The Scottish Government said it had already recruited a record number of call handlers, along with additional clinical supervisors, to help bolster the NHS 24 service this winter.
But the new winter campaign is highlighting how digital resources such as the NHS inform website and symptom checkers on the NHS 24 Online app can help provide advice.
NHS 24 medical director Dr Ron Cook stated: ‘Our digital services use the same clinical advice people get if they call NHS 24 and offer a great first option when people are unwell and are not sure if they need to seek further help.
‘We are advising patients to save time and look after symptoms safely and effectively at home by using NHS inform or the NHS 24 Online app’s symptom checkers, which will give clinically assured health advice on a wide range of conditions including coughs, rashes, stomach bugs, or back pain.’
Dr Cook told Scots: ‘By checking symptoms online, this will give advice on how best to manage your condition or what to do next if further help is required.’
As part of the Right Care, Right Place campaign, people are being advised to visit www.nhs24.scot for advice on minor illnesses and injuries.
Medics stress people should call 111 when they have ‘urgent but non-life-threatening health concerns’ and should ‘always’ call 999 in an emergency.
