NHS Lanarkshire has expressed its full support for a system-wide winter plan aimed at protecting patient safety and ensuring timely, effective care during the busiest months of the year.
After receiving formal approval at its October Board meeting, NHS Lanarkshire has unveiled its system-wide approach to tackling winter challenges across health and social care. The plan sets out coordinated actions to manage seasonal pressures across hospitals, community services, and social care teams.
This year’s priorities include reducing hospital occupancy, tackling delayed discharges, and increasing vaccination uptake across Lanarkshire – key measures designed to help people stay well at home and ensure hospital beds are available for those who need them most.
To support patient safety and the well-being of our staff during the anticipated peak periods we are working collaboratively across the whole system to respond to these pressures. Some of the specific areas of development include:
- Additional investment to provide increased home care packages to maximise discharges and keep people safe in their community
- Recruitment of additional staff to facilitate 7-day opening of our Ambulatory Care Units across our three Acute sites to reduce overcrowding and long waits for patients in our Emergency Departments
- Additional Allied Health Professionals working across community services and our Acute Front Door areas to reduce the need for admission to hospital
- Extended opening of some GP practices and Community Pharmacies during weekends and Public Holidays to reduce the pressure on Emergency Departments and Primary Care OOHs services
- Expansion of our Flow teams e.g. Bed Buster posts to provide further support to our ward based teams for expediting patient discharges
Martin Hill, Chair of NHS Lanarkshire, said: “We know that winter places additional pressure on our services, but by working as one system we can make a real difference. Our collective efforts across health, social care, and local authority teams are focused on supporting people to stay well, recover at home, and move safely through our system when hospital care is required.
“I want to thank both North and South Lanarkshire Councils, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and all our local partners for their continued commitment and collaboration.”
Louise Long, Chief Executive of NHS Lanarkshire, added: “Our focus this winter is on ensuring that people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. By improving flow through our hospitals and supporting more people to recover safely at home, we can protect both patient safety and staff wellbeing during the most challenging months of the year.
“Vaccination remains one of our most effective defences, and I encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward when invited.
“I also want to thank our patients and communities for the support they continue to show our staff, and for the respectful way they engage with services. We know this is a difficult time for many, and we are grateful for the understanding and kindness shown.”
To find out more visit https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/your-health/winter-health/
Click here read more about our winter plans.
