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Welsh NHS plan to cope with extra winter pressures announced | Welsh NHS plan to cope with extra winter pressures announced |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Cutting hospital admissions and discharging patients more quickly are among Welsh NHS plans to cope with higher demand over the winter. | Cutting hospital admissions and discharging patients more quickly are among Welsh NHS plans to cope with higher demand over the winter. |
NHS Wales chief executive Dr Andrew Goodall urged people to use emergency care only for life-threatening conditions needing immediate attention. | NHS Wales chief executive Dr Andrew Goodall urged people to use emergency care only for life-threatening conditions needing immediate attention. |
Last winter, A&E pressures led a senior nurse to compare them to a war zone. | Last winter, A&E pressures led a senior nurse to compare them to a war zone. |
Dr Goodall said health bodies and councils had worked on plans, with some health boards recruiting extra staff. | Dr Goodall said health bodies and councils had worked on plans, with some health boards recruiting extra staff. |
The new winter plans include: | The new winter plans include: |
"The health service maintains and reviews plans constantly throughout the year but we all know winter can bring additional pressures," Dr Goodall said. | "The health service maintains and reviews plans constantly throughout the year but we all know winter can bring additional pressures," Dr Goodall said. |
"Our health boards, councils and the ambulance service have developed integrated winter plans to prepare for winter, particularly during peaks in pressure." | "Our health boards, councils and the ambulance service have developed integrated winter plans to prepare for winter, particularly during peaks in pressure." |
But he stressed that many illnesses could be treated at home with "over-the-counter medicines and plenty of rest". | But he stressed that many illnesses could be treated at home with "over-the-counter medicines and plenty of rest". |
"When your injury or illness can't be managed at home, your GP practice, NHS Direct Wales, local pharmacy, optician or dentist can help. | "When your injury or illness can't be managed at home, your GP practice, NHS Direct Wales, local pharmacy, optician or dentist can help. |
"A&E is for serious, life-threatening conditions that need immediate medical attention," Dr Goodall added. | "A&E is for serious, life-threatening conditions that need immediate medical attention," Dr Goodall added. |
But Conservative Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar warned a better NHS performance was "unlikely" without Labour ministers addressing some "crippling problems". | |
"The reality is that GP out-of-hours services are in crisis in some parts of Wales, waiting times are too long and the four hour A and E target hasn't been met in six years," he said. |
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