Fife's A&E patients urged to take different approach this winter

Patients in Fife are being urged to only go to A&E this winter if they have a medical emergency.

The NHS says it wants to avoid crowded waiting areas - and reduce pressure on the health service.

Anyone who has a non-life-threatening condition is first being asked to seek help through the NHS Inform website, their GP or by calling NHS 24, where they may then be given a phone or video consultation.

If clinicians decide that the patient still needs to go to A&E, they may be offered an appointment to attend.

Those with life-threatening conditions including suspected heart attacks or strokes, severe breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, or severe injury should continue to go straight to A&E or call 999.

The public are now being asked to:

• Use the NHS inform website to access advice on common symptoms, guidance for self-help and where to go if further medical care is needed.
• Contact their local GP practice during the day for an appointment or over-the- phone advice.
• Call 111 day or night when they think they need A&E but it is not life-threatening.
• Call 111 and select the Mental Health Hub to access mental health advice and guidance or call the Breathing Space telephone helpline on 0800 83 85 87.
• Call 111 or use NHS inform out of hours when they are too ill to wait for their GP practice to open, or for worsening symptoms of Covid-19.
• Use scot to access the location of their local minor injuries unit for non-life-threatening but painful injuries such as a deep cut, a broken or sprained ankle or a painful burn injury.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: "The NHS is always there for you. However, for many of us, A&E is not the right place for the care we need. That is why we are making it easier to get the right care in the right place.

"If you think you need to go to A&E for care that is not life-threatening, the NHS 24 telephone service on 111 will be available day and night to direct you to the care you need.

"Your GP practice is also always there for you and can be contacted for urgent but non-life threatening conditions. However, in an emergency, you should continue to call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department.

"By doing so, we will continue to help our doctors and nurses through this pandemic, and ensure A&E provides the fastest and most appropriate care for people when they really need it. Help us keep you and our NHS safe by making the right call at the right time to access the right care in the right place for you and your family."

Dr Christopher McKenna, NHS Fife medical director, said: "A&E is always there for those who need it and in a life-threatening emergency, you should always go to A&E or dial 999.

"If you need urgent medical attention and it’s not life-threatening, calling NHS 24 on 111 in the first instance means you will be able to be assessed over the telephone and referred to the right healthcare professional.

"This can avoid unnecessary trips to hospital and allow you to access care as close to home as possible."