NHS Lanarkshire is reassuring the public that their GP practice is still open but they should consider alternative options where appropriate to allow GPs to focus on more urgent care.
Due to continued pressure on the whole system as a result of increasing cases of Covid-19, GP practices have been asked to manage their delivery of service by prioritising urgent care over the next four weeks.
This includes identification, assessment and where needed referral for people with symptoms suggestive of cancer. Baby checks, contraceptive services, palliative care and support to care homes will continue.
Some community staff are being redeployed to priority areas such as supporting Covid-19 vaccine administration, acute respiratory illness centres and Covid-19 wards. This will have an impact on the range of services GP practices will be able to provide.
Dr Linda Findlay, medical director, South Lanarkshire Health and Care Partnership, said:
“GP practices in Lanarkshire are busier than ever. Your GP practice is still open and providing as many services as possible. However, it may take more time as GPs focus on urgent care so we are asking people to show patience and consider alternatives to their GP where appropriate, such as self-care, pharmacy, minor injuries unit, opticians and dentists.”
NHS Lanarkshire’s Choose Well, Keep Well guide offers a range of services that local healthcare professionals across Lanarkshire can provide. You can go directly to the right healthcare professional for the help you need when you need it, without having to see your GP first or face a lengthy wait in A&E.
Dr Findlay and Dr Keith McIntyre, chairman of Lanarkshire GP subcommittee, have written to all GPs across Lanarkshire detailing the need to prioritise urgent care as some community staff are redeployed for four weeks in the first instance, but with weekly review.
Dr Findlay said: “We would like to thank GPs for all that they have done and continue to do for their patients in the face of the ongoing pandemic. Despite many significant challenges, practices have been offering near normal services, albeit in a different way to pre-pandemic service delivery, in line with clear advice from Public Health Scotland.
“As part of our contingency plans due to the pressures on the system, we have taken the decision to redeploy some staff to support priority areas.”
NHS Lanarkshire and its associated partnerships took the decision a couple of weeks ago to temporarily postpone all non-urgent elective procedures in our hospitals and a targeted range of outpatient appointments (further details here).
There is a growing numbers of patients who are acutely unwell requiring care in acute inpatient settings. This requires the support of additional clinical staff.
Both North and South H&SCPs and the acute division have reviewed their prioritisation plans to free staff to support the three priority areas over the coming weeks. Namely, vaccine delivery, acute respiratory illness centres and providing acute care to the most seriously unwell.
Dr Findlay added: “Unlike the position in March, we are all also continuing to provide care across other areas, although we are now in a position where this is being prioritised to meet the competing demands.
“The movement of staff will take a phased approach to ensure continuation of community and acute services where possible. We are aware that this will impact on the delivery of general practice with some restricted access to services.
“The safety of our patients is always our top priority. In light of the current pandemic and the latest Scottish government advice, NHS Lanarkshire continues to work closely with all practices at this time to offer guidance and support.
“We all need to play our part in suppressing Covid-19 to keep ourselves and our communities safe. I would like to thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding during these challenging times.”
For a number of services there will be no change and clinics will continue to operate, including Children and Adolescent Mental Health services, acute and community paediatrics, adult mental health services (read our recent press release here), new baby and postnatal checks, remote long-term care and prioritising of chronic disease management for those at highest risk, care home support, identification and assessment of symptoms that may indicate cancer and palliative care.
To find out more about the services offered by NHS Lanarkshire, visit https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/experts/.
It’s important you know how to get the right care at the right place. For more information visit NHS Inform.
