Choose right say health chiefs

DOCTORS at Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group are backing the NHS campaign to help people choose the right services.
Making the right choice saves time and saves the NHS resources – so that urgent care is there for those who really need it.
National statistics show that 40 per cent of A&E patients are discharged requiring no treatment.
An inappropriate visit to Warrington Hospital for a condition like a cough, cold or a splinter, costs the NHS around £71.
Dr Simon Redfearn, a GP at Birchwood Medical Centre, and the CCG’s clinical lead for urgent and unplanned care, said: “We know that over the winter, the number of serious and life- threatening cases will go up if the temperature falls below 12 degrees Celsius.
“That’s people with breathing problems, strokes and heart-attacks caused by the cold weather.
“What we don’t need at such a busy time are people calling 999, turning up at A&E or going to their GP, when they don’t need to be there.”
Hospital A&E departments and emergency ambulance services are very
busy over winter.
The Choose Well campaign emphasises that people should only call 999 when faced with serious, critical or life-threatening situations.
Residents are asked to remember:
*Minor injuries and ailments like grazed knees or sore throats can be self-treated.
*Pharmacists can provide, confidential expert advice for range of common complaints like headaches and upset stomachs.
*NHS 111 provides expert health advice, 24 hours a day.
*GP practices are the first point of contact for an illness or injury that is getting worse or will not go away.
Choosing Well ensures the emergency services are available for those who really need them.
The CCG warn people who go to A&E with non-urgent conditions they can expect to wait up to four hours to be seen.