NHS Scotland makes preparations for winter

27th October 2014

Health boards across Scotland are gearing up to manage the additional pressures the winter period can put on NHS services.

Each of the country's 14 health boards now have plans in place to increase capacity and improve the way people are discharged from hospital to ensure the NHS continues to perform well during the winter.

Ahead of this year’s winter, the Scottish Government has released an additional £8.2 million from the Unscheduled Care Action Plan fund to improve the way emergency care operates within hospitals.

In addition all boards have been issued guidance outlining how they can prepare effectively for winter. These measures include:

having robust plans in place in the event of severe weather
reducing the number of delayed discharges by working with local authorities
scheduling planned treatment well in advance
vaccinating as many NHS staff as possible against flu
ensuring appropriate out of hours cover, particularly over the festive period.
Health Secretary Alex Neil today visited Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock to hear about NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s plans to reduce pressures on A&E by improving patient flow through the hospital and having winter surge capacity available.

He said: "Our NHS always plans carefully for winter, but this year we have started planning earlier than ever before.

“Winter brings additional pressures for the health service and we have put in place robust plans to ensure our preparations are comprehensive.

“While people can help ease the strain by stocking up their medicines cabinet, getting a free vaccination if at risk of flu and knowing when their GP surgery is closed, the NHS still needs to play its part in preparing for whatever winter might bring.

“Last year we announced a three-year £50 million fund to help boards make changes to their unscheduled care and this money is now being used to improve how our NHS runs and ensure people are seen quickly and treated effectively.

“Just as important as making sure our hospital services are ready, our community and GP services are also preparing. It is vital that people have access to the care and support they need to stay in their own home or community to avoid an unnecessary hospital visits, or get help to return home as soon as they are able after a hospital stay.

“As the cold weather sets in, Scotland’s NHS is well prepared and determined to maintain the high standards that patients deserve.

“The Scottish Government will continue to keep a close eye on how services are performing over the winter months to ensure there is a quick response should any issues arise."

Liz Moore, Director of Acute Services for NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing to University Hospital Crosshouse.

“We welcomed the opportunity to outline the work which NHS Ayrshire & Arran has started in a major £27.5 million investment in redesigning our emergency departments.

“Alongside this construction work our clinical services are also changing to ensure that we provide safe, effective and person-centred urgent and emergency care for our patients now and for the future.”

During the winter, additional demand can be placed on NHS services, from increased respiratory emergency admissions and more people admitted with falls and fractures in severe weather. In addition health boards may also face challenges if wards have to close as a result of norovirus.