Minister welcomes winter health preparations

A range of initiatives has been put in place by Health and Social Services Boards to manage the peaks in demand for services over the winter period.

Health Minister, Angela Smith, said local hospitals were already dealing with high numbers of acute medical patients and many other health and social services also under pressure.

"With the arrival of winter, it is vital that the services are as prepared as possible for the increased pressures that the next few months will bring," the Minister said.

“An extra £7 million has been allocated to the health and social services this year to provide enhanced levels of service provision, including additional medical beds, a wide range of extra and innovative community care provision, and more primary care services.”

The Minister also drew attention to the importance of people accessing the right service, particularly at times of heavy demand saying: “It is vital that our services are used to best effect, particularly at times when they are under greatest pressure," she said.

“Most winter illnesses do not need hospital treatment and, for those who are normally in good health but who are feeling ‘a bit under the weather’, a visit to the community pharmacist may be all that is needed. For others, the best course will usually be to seek their GP’s advice.”

Rapid response schemes, with multi-disciplinary team membership, have also been introduced, to target and treat people early in the community, thus averting hospital admissions.

During the winter months, there will also be more services available in the primary care sector, including extra GP clinics and practice nurse sessions.

(MB)