County healthcare system under signficant pressure – how to help and find help

The Derbyshire health and social care system is under sustained and significant pressure and patients and members of the public are asked to use services wisely to ensure those patients with the greatest need can access the right care and support.

Dr Chris Weiner, Executive Medical Director for NHS Derby and Derbyshire, said: "The Christmas bank holiday period saw significant pressure across the Derbyshire health and care system. We are open for business and our services are there for anyone who needs them but we are prioritising patients with the highest level of need, particularly those requiring urgent and emergency care.

"There are things everyone can do to help, and we are asking people to use our services wisely and to think about self-care as an option for some conditions, such as coughs and colds, before automatically going to the NHS for help. If self-care isn't an option, then choosing the right service for the condition will help patients to get the right treatment first time and usually more quickly. 111.nhs.uk is a great resource to help with that.

"We are expecting the New Year bank holiday to be particularly busy so we are asking people to plan ahead around important things like repeat prescriptions but also to think about how they can support our health and social care system at the busiest time of the year."

What you can do to help:
Health teams continue to work exceptionally hard and would like to reassure patients and the public that despite the challenges faced, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if you require urgent medical help, you should continue to come forward.

Other things which everyone can do to help the NHS right now, include:

• Only call 999 or attend accident and emergency departments when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. 
• When needing urgent medical care but it’s not an emergency, visit NHS 111 online – 111.nhs.uk – or call NHS111 for advice on how to get care at any time of day or night.
• Utilising an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) if you have a minor illness or injury, such as sprains, fractures, minor burns, skin infections, animal bites, minor eye and head injuries, stings and bites. 

Urgent treatment centres/Minor Injury Units are available 8am-8pm including Derby, Ilkeston and Ripley and can help with care and treatment for many of the most common issues that people attend emergency departments for. They will often be able to help get the care needed more quickly than accident and emergency departments. Please only attend a UTC if you need urgent treatment for an illness or injury.

• See a pharmacist for advice on a minor illness such as a cough or cold. 

Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns. As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.

• Contact your GP for symptoms that won't go away, such as lumps, unexpected weight loss, abnormal bleeding and persistent pain. 
• Check on neighbours, friends and family who have an existing respiratory condition, to ensure they are okay and not suffering from additional wheeziness or shortness of breath. It is also important to ensure they are following their care plan with medication, inhalers and oxygen support. If you are concerned and feel you need clinical advice, use NHS 111 online or call 111. It is essential that they receive treatment early and seek to prevent an admission to hospital.
• Support loved ones who are ready to leave hospital by doing six simple things: 
  • Bring clothes for leaving hospital
  • Arrange access to their home or place they call home and to check on heating and food
  • Check transport arrangements
  • Ensure they have any dressings or equipment they need
  • Confirm any follow up appointments 
  • Check for valuables and belongings when leaving 
• Please continue to treat all NHS and care staff with the respect they deserve.  Hard-working staff and volunteers are doing all they can to keep patients safe and supported.
• If unable to make any NHS appointment, please contact the number on appointment letters so that it can be reallocated to another patient.

There is a range of other steps the community can take at this time help the NHS, and further information is available at www.joinedupcarederbyshire.co.uk.

What is being done:

• Health and care services continue to work closely together to resolve the situation. 

Measures taken to help manage and alleviate pressure have included:

• Maximising all available and appropriate hospital capacity to provide beds in which to care for patients.
• Taking additional steps to release patients from the care of ambulance crews to enable them to get back on the road to see the next patient, including extra capacity in ED and extra consultants on hand to assess the clinical needs of patients on arrival, with the aim of turning crews around in no more than 15 minutes from arrival.
• Diverting all clinically-trained staff to provide direct care and support, and cancelling all non-essential training.
• Opening more than 40 additional community-based beds to support discharge from acute hospitals.