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<\/p>\nPeople in the West of England are being reminded to avoid unnecessary trips to A&E after figures revealed thousands of people visited emergency departments for everyday ailments last winter.<\/p>\n
Research from the NHS shows 42% of the public admit they have gone to A&E for a non-emergency – such as a sore throat – because they thought it would be quicker.<\/p>\n
Ade Williams, a community pharmacist, urged people to look in the right place for care because prolonging the process only “delays you getting that help”.<\/p>\n
The NHS is now launching a “winter reset” campaign to show how services like 111, pharmacies, the NHS App and online GP forms can offer more convenient care.<\/p>\n
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The NHS App lets patients order repeat prescriptions, manage GP appointments, view medical records and communicate with their GP or hospital [NHS]<\/p>\n
The data revealed 11% of the public have visited A&E for a sore throat, while others turned up for a common cold or a urinary tract infection \u2013 all conditions that community pharmacists can treat without an appointment.<\/p>\n
It added 24% have been to A&E for an issue that, in hindsight, could have been managed by another NHS service like a pharmacy, NHS 111, a GP or the NHS app.<\/p>\n
As part of the campaign, a new short film titled 24 Hours Not in A&E<\/a> showcases quicker and more practical ways for patients to access care for minor and urgent health concerns around the clock.<\/p>\n The NHS survey suggests an urgent need for better awareness, as the data revealed 45% of the public have already been hit by winter bugs this season.<\/p>\n ‘Gateway to care’<\/p>\n Mr Williams, from Bristol, said the campaign was about re-educating people on its various services, and showing the “NHS is more accessible than you ever thought it was”.<\/p>\n “We’re not blaming people for this in any way. We understand that it’s a very human reaction when you feel desperately unwell, in pain or discomfort,” he said.<\/p>\n “We look for help, because we want it to be quickly and easily accessible, but if you turn up to the wrong place, it delays you getting that help.<\/p>\n “It means the system has to guide us into the right places. Community pharmacies offer a gateway to receiving NHS care and to facilitating self-care.”<\/p>\n Mr Williams said by doing so, the NHS will function better as a whole during critical periods of high demand<\/a> when patient numbers rise.<\/p>\n He said this message remains even more crucial at this time of year, as seasonal viruses “put added pressure on our health system”.<\/p>\n Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630<\/a>.<\/p>\n More on this storyRelated Internet Links