An article highlighting the importance of using NHS Inform and NHS 24 for accessing appropriate healthcare services in Scotland.
It’s that time of year when we all need a little extra help with our health. The good news is getting the right care is closer and quicker than you might think. NHS inform, Scotland ’s national health information service, has a wealth of self-help guides online, offering practical advice on a vast range of common ailments, including fever, rash and headaches, as well as mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
It was the first port of call for Lorna Skelly, 42, when she suddenly developed persistent abdominal pains after eating. Rather than visiting A&E, she sought advice on NHS inform which guided her on the symptoms and which over-the-counter medicine to buy from the pharmacy. She was then signposted to her local GP, where an advanced nurse practitioner took a blood test and a stool sample. Lorna was swiftly referred for an endoscopy, which showed she had a hiatus hernia - a condition where part of the stomach moves up into a person’s chest. “I can tell you firsthand that going to the right place makes a massive difference,” said Lorna, from Newtown St. Boswells. “It meant I was able to get seen by the right people and diagnosed correctly right away. “My advice to anyone is this: phone NHS 24 on 111, or visit NHS inform. You’ll be directed to the right service and can learn a lot about where to go next if you’re unsure.” Patients can also use the NHS 24 Online app to assess their symptoms and find nearby services, including a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU). An MIU can help if you have a cut or minor burn, or think you’ve broken or fractured a bone. Expert health advice is also available at your local pharmacy, with pharmacists trained to help treat select conditions like sore throats, earache and cold sores, as well as common clinical conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs). They can also provide a referral to other healthcare teams if needed. “There are so many access points into the health service for local people, but the public is often only really aware of their GP and A&E,” says Jamie Morrison, consultant in emergency medicine at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital. “Put simply, if it’s a life or limb-threatening issue, as an emergency medicine doctor, I’m best placed to help. But ongoing symptoms is something we are not best placed to deal with.” Jamie recalls a recent case where a patient sprained an ankle while walking in Brechin. They instinctively went to the nearest A&E department, resulting in a 70-mile round trip. “If they’d contacted the nearest GP surgery or called NHS 24 on 111, they would’ve been referred to the local injury unit about 10 miles away,” says Jamie. “My advice to patients is to ensure they’re directed to the right place in the first instance. For the ‘in-hours’ period, your GP should remain your first point of contact, while 111 is best placed to direct you in ‘out-of-hours’ periods. “Getting you to the right place the first time is best for the person and for the system as a whole - that’s why I’d encourage you to download the NHS 24 Online app and visit NHS inform.” Visit NHSinform.scot/right-care for more informatio
NHS Inform HEALTHCARE SCOTLAND NHS 24 PRIMARY CARE EMERGENCY MEDICINE
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