Minister welcomes winter health preparations

The government announced has a range of initiatives that will assist health trusts in managing peaks in demand for health services – and much-needed beds – over the winter months.

Welcoming the plans, NIO minister Des Browne said that this year health services were worked together to ensure that a range of additional services will be available during the winter months – when demand for services is always at its highest.

“Our hospitals are already dealing with high numbers of acute medical patients," he said.

"Many of our other health and social services are 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.”

Referring to his announcement last week on the health, social services and public safety budget for 2003/4, Mr Browne said additional recurring resources will be available for community care.

He added: "Another important part of the planning for the winter months has been a comprehensive flu vaccination campaign, targeted at people over 65 and other vulnerable people. Last year’s campaign in Northern Ireland was very successful and resulted in an uptake rate in the over 65 population of 72%, the highest in the UK. Early indications are that this rate will also be met, if not exceeded, this year."

The Minister also drew attention to the importance of people accessing the right service, particularly at times of heavy demand.

He said: “It is vital that our services are used to best effect, particularly at times when they are under greatest pressure. 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.”

Boards plan to provide a level of enhanced service provision similar to last year. This includes additional medical beds in the hospital sector, a range of extra community care provision, including additional domiciliary care packages, more intermediate care schemes and enhancements to ‘hospital at home’ schemes.

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, and more support for GP out-of-hours services.

(MB)