Hundreds of unnecessary doctor’s appointments and visits to the hospital’s emergency department across Blackburn with Darwen could be saved this winter if we all ‘choose well.’
That’s the name of a campaign urging people to help the NHS save time and money by choosing the right health care if they’re ill or injured over winter.
Visits to the GP for common, everyday complaints like coughs, colds and backache, which can be treated at home, cost the NHS an estimated £2 billion every year while one in four visits to the emergency department are not for life threatening illnesses or emergencies such as heart attacks, stroke or serious accidents.
More than 3.3 million people across the north west went to their local emergency department last year, at a cost of over £900,000 per day to the NHS. Everytime someone goes to the emergency department and is discharged without needing further treatment, the cost to the NHS is £124.
And, with the current bad weather, doctors say it’s even more important that people choose the right level of treatment for their condition to reduce pressure on services.
“People think that because the emergency department is open 24hours a day, seven days a week, it’s the same as a walk in clinic. Emergency departments are for people suffering serious illness or injury such as heart attack, stroke or serious road traffic accidents,” said Dr Malcolm Ridgway, medical director for Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus.
“If you attend with a cough or cold you could be could be waiting a long time if the unit is busy with serious cases, whereas you could treat yourself, see your pharmacist or make an appointment to see your own GP or the GP out of hours service.
“You need to start by asking yourself, can I treat this at home? If it’s a normal winter illness, such as a cold or you have backache or an upset stomach, then paracetamol or simple medicine cupboard remedies and a couple of days rest should cure it. Your local pharmacist can advise on simple remedies for a whole range of symptoms and provide confidential, expert advice.
“If your symptoms are more serious, get worse or don’t improve within a few days, then see your GP. All GPs also have an out of hours service for illnesses that can’t wait until the surgery opens the next day. You just call 08452 262626 between 6.30pm in the evening and 8am in the morning and all weekend. If you think advice is all you need call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
“If you or someone else is struggling to breathe, you suspect a stroke or heart attack or a serious injury, then call 999 or visit the emergency department. It’s all about using the right service to get the right treatment.”
Winter vomiting warning
And there's also a warning not to let the winter vomiting bug, novovirus, spoil festivities.
Norovirus infection, commonly known as winter vomiting, is a highly infectious but short-lived illness from which most people, including the frail elderly, will normally recover in anything from 12 to 60 hours without treatment.
It is the most common form of gastrointestinal illness in the UK, affecting between 600,000 and one million people every year. It can spread rapidly, particularly in environments where people live or work in close proximity, such as hospitals, residential care homes, cruise ships, schools and the workplace.
The advice is to stay at home, rest andtake plenty of drinks to replace lost fluids. Phone your GP (don't visit the surgery or the emergency department as you're likely to pass on the infection) if your symptoms persist or appear to be getting worse.
Stay away from work or school and don't handle or prepare food for others until you've fully recovered and have been free of symptoms for 48 hours. Don't visit family or friends in hospitals or residential care and make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and regularly at all times, but particularly after visiting the lavatory and before eating.
