UHB invests in snow kit

The UHB has been busy investing in new equipment and strengthening its plans to make sure vital services continue when wintery weather threatens disruption.

 

It has invested £100,000 in new equipment to make sure services continue to run as smoothly as possible during harsh weather. The money has helped to provide new 4x4 and quad vehicles, as well as salt spreaders and plough attachments, which will help keep staff and patients on the move, while keeping, the Health Board’s sites as safe as possible.

 

And while new equipment will help the UHB manage in adverse weather, it is also important that local people do their best to keep well look during the winter months and make themselves familiar with the Welsh Government’s Choose Well messages about where to look for advice or care if they do fall ill.

 

Paul Hollard, the Health Board’s Director of Planning, said: “The UHB has invested significant resources and time in developing our plans for adverse weather to make sure that we keep vital services in place for those who need them.

 

“We know that, unfortunately, winter is also the worst time of year for illness, with increased risks of respiratory problems, falls and fractures. This increased demand for services, coupled with poor weather, can put additional pressure on some services, particularly in the Emergency Unit.

 

“This is why the Choose Well campaign is so helpful in making it clear to people the range of services available in the community, and where they should go for help and advice if they are feeling unwell.

 

“We know that some people with minor ailments choose to turn up at the Emergency Unit at the University Hospital of Wales when that’s really not the right place for them to be seen.

 

“Our message this winter is to take good care of yourself and your loved ones and, if you do fall ill and it’s not an emergency, try to avoid coming to EU. Patients are prioritised on the basis of clinical need, so if your condition can be treated by a GP for example, the chances are you’ll either have to wait to be seen or even be redirected to another service, which will mean you’ll have had a wasted journey.    

 

“When patients choose the appropriate service for their needs it means that not only will they benefit from getting the help they need as quickly as possible, but other patients will too.”

 

Welsh Government has relaunched its Choose Well campaign, aimed at making people more aware of the health services available to them and help them choose an appropriate service.

 

It is designed to help alleviate some of the pressures focussed on Emergency Units across Wales.

 

In the last five years the number of people attending emergency units has risen by 12%.

 

Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales said: “When asked, people gave us a very strong message that they weren’t really aware of all of the services that existed, or how they should be used.

 

“The Choose Well campaign is going to prove useful in helping people towards accessing the right services, at the right time to meet their healthcare needs. Patients who ‘Choose Well’ should be rewarded with better, quicker and more effective treatment and care.

 

“Helping people make the right choice in accessing services will not only benefit patients themselves but also assist our doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to maintain high quality services.

 

“We want to make sure people living in Wales get the right care in the right place at the right time.”