THE NHS in the North West is reminding the public of the importance of coming forward for healthcare when feeling unwell, to avoid conditions worsening and leading to hospital admissions that could have been avoided.

The call to seek help for symptoms early comes at one of the busiest times of year for the NHS as the latest figures show the numbers of patients in hospital beds with flu in the North West increased after Christmas, after having seen a slight reduction in the lead up to Christmas.

The region also continues to experience icy conditions, with the amber cold health alert that has been in place since 28 December now extended until 12pm on Monday, 12 January, which can cause demand for NHS services to rise.

The public can help support the NHS and themselves by seeking support before illnesses get worse, using self-care where appropriate and getting important winter vaccinations.

Regional health leads believe some people turning up at hospital seriously unwell may have delayed seeking help, waiting until their symptoms became more severe. This can result in longer recovery times, more complex treatment, and in many cases hospital care that may not have been needed if support was given sooner.

Dr Paula Cowan is a GP and Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England in the North West. 

She said: “We know that people sometimes put off seeking help, but the earlier people come forward, the easier it is for us to treat you. By acting quickly, you protect your health and reduce the chance of needing hospital care, whilst at the same time helping to ease pressure on the already busy NHS as we work through the busiest time of the year.”

People living with long-term health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and COPD can often be more at risk to viruses during the winter months, which means if they were to catch flu or other respiratory illnesses, it could be far more serious and treatment needed earlier.

There are more ways than ever before to access NHS services. The NHS App allows patients to request appointments, check health records, receive reminders, or even order repeat prescriptions.

People can use NHS 111 for non-emergency advice and treatment. The service can assess and direct to the most appropriate local service, including urgent treatment centres, GP practices, and consultations with a pharmacist. It is available 24/7 online at 111.nhs.uk, on the NHS App and by calling 111.

Through Pharmacy First, community pharmacy teams can offer quick, easy support – including prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions including sore throat, sinusitis and earache. Pharmacies can also offer advice and over the counter medications to help people manage illnesses including colds, flu and norovirus at home.

It is also easier than ever to access advice, support and treatment from general practice colleagues through online consultation requests, which can be made via surgery websites or the NHS App. Latest available data shows in November, almost 800,000 people (791,395) booked appointments with General Practices online in the North West, helping to free up phone lines for those with the most urgent need.

GPs also continue to offer telephone and video consultations as well appointments in person, all of which are helping offer more choice to patients in the way they access support from their family doctor.

Dr Cowan added “As a GP, I see every day the impact to my patients of waiting to seek care.  I understand some don’t want to bother us with things they see as minor, but if you are feeling unwell, have tried self-care and aren’t feeling better in a couple of days, please do seek support from one of the important NHS services available at the heart of our communities.”

Simple steps to stay safe in cold weather:

• Keep your home heated to at least 18°C if you’re elderly or vulnerable
• Wear hats, gloves, and warm indoor footwear like slippers
• Stay active indoors with gentle movement to improve circulation
• Check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours

Accessing the right NHS services:

• If it’s not an emergency, but you need urgent advice and treatment or you’re unsure where to go, NHS 111 online, which can be accessed at 111.nhs.uk or via the NHS App, can help.
• Community pharmacies, GP practices and other services remain open and can provide advice and treatment for many minor illnesses without the need for an appointment. A&E should be reserved for life-threatening emergencies.