This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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NHS prepared for winter
23/11/2004
The NHS is geared up for the inevitable pressures that winter brings and is well placed to respond to additional demand, leading health officials said today.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Mac Armstrong used today's briefing to remind Scots that it wasn't too late to get their flu jab.
Peter Bates, Director of Health Service Delivery for the Scottish Executive, said:
"Over the last few months, NHS Boards and the Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) have been working closely to ensure that the health service is well-equipped to deal with winter pressures this year.
"In recent years we have planned well and potential problems were handled with minimum impact on patients and the public. However, we have got to remain vigilant over the coming months.
"Boards have in place a range of measures, including additional capacity, more equipment and extra staff. Good practice is being shared across the country to help ensure that everything that can be done to get ready for winter is done.
"NHS Greater Glasgow has a number of schemes designed to maintain routine operations when the system is pressured by additional emergency demands created by winter.
"For example, in South Glasgow an additional bed manager is in place to extend cover during times of peak activity and 30 additional geriatric orthopaedic beds have been put in place to free beds for planned surgery.
"Also, in North Glasgow an integrated NHS discharge team will work with the Social Work Department to minimise delayed discharges from hospital.
"In Dumfries, as well as additional medical and nursing staff, 12 additional acute beds can be brought into use if necessary and NHS Borders has set aside significant funding to address the likely pressures.
"We can't say that there won't be problems - we never can. But everyone from frontline staff to senior management has been working hard to ensure that the NHS works to deliver the best service it can to patients during the coming months."
Dr Armstrong said:
"It's still not too late to receive your flu jab. Everyone over the age of 65 is eligible, as are those in 'at risk' groups, such as people with asthma and diabetes, aged over six months.
"It's fair to say that there was some delay in the supply of vaccines to individual GP surgeries and pharmacies, but all supplies have now been delivered.
"Everyone eligible should now contact their GP practice and arrange to be immunised as soon as possible, if you haven't already done so, and healthcare workers should also be inocculated.
"Being vaccinated protects the individual and also stems the flow of infection, therefore protecting the community at large.
"Levels of influenza appear to be low so far this year, but that's not to say that the situation can't or won't change as we get deeper into winter. It is therefore vital that everyone who is eligible ensures that they are immunised."
This year's flu vaccination programme was launched on 4 October. Everyone aged 65 and over, and those under 65 with chronic conditions such as bronchitis, diabetes or asthma, are encouraged to have a free flu jab.
The NHS 24 number is 08454 24 24 24.