North West NHS bosses stress-test health services ahead of influx of patients during busy winter months

NHS leaders across the North West have put winter plans through a major stress-test as health services prepare for the busiest months of the year.

Winter is traditionally the busiest time of the year for the NHS, with cold weather typically bringing a rise in respiratory illness, pressures on emergency departments and ambulance services, and added strain across health and social care.

Every year, staff from across the region rise to meet that challenge, and this year the NHS across the North West is determined to be more prepared than ever.

From general practice, pharmacy and school health teams vaccinating people against flu and other winter illnesses to community and hospital services treating people in urgent treatment centres or emergency departments right at the frontline. The NHS is working together, with colleagues from across social care and beyond to ensure preparations have been made to deal with expected pressures.

Senior leaders from NHS trusts and the region’s three Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have already come together for a full day of stress-testing seasonal pressure plans. This involved participants scrutinising the plans against realistic scenarios that mirror the pressures the NHS could face in the coming months.

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.”

As part of this work, across the region, the NHS is coming up with innovative ways to better support people to get the care they need, as soon as they need it and in a way that eases pressure on services.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) have partnered with Age UK across the region to help prevent falls in the community this winter, supporting older people to stay safe and independent. Together, the trust and Age UK are delivering falls-prevention sessions for people most at risk of falling and the people who support them. Falls significantly impact the NHS, costing more than £2.3 billion each year. They are also one of the most common reasons people call 999, with around one in 10 calls to NWAS being made because someone has fallen.

The first of three events took place in early October at County Hall in Preston, as part of the council’s reception for older people’s groups. More than 100 people attended the event, where they received advice on falls prevention and accessed support and resources to share with their communities. More of these events will run through November.

Falls prevention is a key part of NWAS’ wider work to reduce health inequalities. By working directly with communities and local Age UK organisations, NWAS aims to reach people who may be at greater risk of falls and provide practical advice to help them stay safe, well and independent.

Dr Gregory added: “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.”

Accessing the right NHS services:

• If it’s not an emergency, but you need urgent advice and treatment or you’re unsure where to go, NHS 111 online, which can be accessed at 111.nhs.uk or via the NHS App, can help.
• Community pharmacies, GP practices and other services remain open and can provide advice and treatment for many minor illnesses without the need for an appointment. A&E should be reserved for life-threatening emergencies.

If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:

• find a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you’re aged 18 or over)
• contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
• Go here for more information: NHS England — North West » NHS vaccination information.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

• are aged 65 or over
• have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• live with someone who has a weakened immune system
• Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer
• Children aged 2 to 3 years, reception to year 11 and children with certain long term health conditions are also eligible.