Health leaders put North West winter plans through full-day stress test
Senior NHS figures tested seasonal pressure plans against realistic scenarios
Senior NHS leaders across the North West have spent a full day stress-testing their winter plans, according to NHS England in the North West.
Representatives from NHS trusts and the region's three Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) scrutinised the plans against realistic scenarios mirroring the pressures the NHS could face in the coming months.
Winter is traditionally the busiest time of year for the NHS, with cold weather typically bringing a rise in respiratory illness and added pressure on emergency departments and ambulance services.
What health leaders said
Dr Michael Gregory, Regional Medical Director at NHS England in the North West, said: "When experts from across health and care come together, it shows the NHS in the North West at its best: honest about the challenges we face and determined to work together to meet them.
"Testing our plans against realistic scenarios, before winter arrives proper, means we go into the coldest months better prepared, better joined up, and better placed to protect patients and support our staff."
Changes planned across the region
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust is extending opening hours for same-day emergency care services at Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness General Hospital.
The service lets patients receive specialist assessment and treatment without necessarily being admitted to hospital.
Additional nursing teams are also being introduced at both sites. The trust says this will support patient care, improve flow through emergency departments and reduce the need for temporary measures during periods of exceptional pressure.
In Greater Manchester, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust's Integrated Transfer of Care Hub supports the safe and timely discharge of adults from hospital.
The team coordinates discharge planning and helps arrange community-based support.
Across Cheshire and Merseyside, Unscheduled Care Coordination Hubs are being introduced to help healthcare professionals support people with urgent or complex needs.
The hubs act as a clinically led single point of access, offering remote clinical assessment, expert advice and rapid referral into urgent and community-based services.
NHS bosses say they will help avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and ease pressure on emergency departments and ambulance services.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, Executive Clinical Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: "The Unscheduled Care Coordination Hubs demonstrate the value of organisations working together to provide more joined-up care for patients. By providing healthcare professionals with rapid access to clinical advice, assessment and referral support, the hubs help ensure people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. As we head into winter, they will play a vital role in helping us manage increased demand, reduce pressure on urgent and emergency services, and continue delivering safe, high-quality care for our local communities."
Falls prevention work
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has partnered with Age UK to help prevent falls in the community this winter.
The two organisations are delivering falls-prevention sessions for people most at risk of falling and the people who support them.
Falls cost the NHS more than £2.3 billion each year. Around one in 10 calls to NWAS are made because someone has fallen.
The first of three events took place in early October at County Hall in Preston. More than 100 people attended and received advice on falls prevention.
More events will run through November.
How to access NHS care this winter
Dr Gregory also said: "There are hundreds of initiatives and programmes of work happening across the NHS to support our communities to keep them well for longer and to help NHS services manage at the busiest time of the year.
"I'd ask the public to offer their support and help to keep well by accessing important vaccinations if eligible and using NHS services appropriately during winter months and beyond."
People who need urgent advice and treatment, or are unsure where to go, can use NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or through the NHS App.
Community pharmacies, GP practices and other services remain open and can provide advice and treatment for many minor illnesses without an appointment. A&E should be reserved for life-threatening emergencies.
People eligible for an NHS flu vaccine can find a pharmacy offering it if they are 18 or over, or contact their GP surgery to book an appointment.
The free NHS flu vaccine is available to:
people aged 65 or over
people with certain long-term health conditions
pregnant women
people living in a care home
the main carer for an older or disabled person, or people who receive a carer's allowance
people who live with someone with a weakened immune system
children aged 2 to 3 years, those in reception to year 11, and children with certain long-term health conditions
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.