NHS campaign aims to ease pressure on services in Greater Manchester

NHS England and Public Health England (PHE) have launched a series of winter campaigns, under the brand ‘Help Us Help You’.

The campaign brings together a family of health initiatives. These include staying well in winter, NHS 111, pharmacy and extended GP hours.

The scheme aims to improve understanding of NHS services, coming just in time for the busy winter period that the NHS faces.

It encourages people to take appropriate actions when it comes to seeing a doctor or GP. This will better enable the NHS to help those who need it.

Chief Officer of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership Jon Rouse said: “Winter is upon us, and our NHS is going to be under pressure.

“We try and keep as many services open over the Christmas and new year period as possible. However, it is very very sensible as we go into winter to make sure that you are prepared.”

These tweets below show some of the people who are less than happy with health services in Manchester.

doctors is a joke been waiting here for ages ?

— cerrin orourke (@cerrin_orourke) November 30, 2018

When you’re waiting for ages at the doctor’s office and they are already running 10 minutes behind and are clearly on a chatty phone call ??

— Amberle Heath (@amberlerochelle) November 28, 2018

Morning all, waiting for a delayed hospital appointment.

— Christmas angel (@kitty_cat84) December 4, 2018

As population increases in the city of Manchester, NHS services are more occupied than ever. Statistics from the NHS’ GP Patient Survey show that nearly 70% of patients waited to be seen for up to 15 minutes later than their appointment time.

This campaign aims to ensure people can access the right services, by redirecting those who may be in the wrong place.

Mr Rouse added: “We’re not trying to be unreasonable, we know that people will still come to A&E. We need to make sure our A&Es are free and able to deal with those really high need incidents.”

GPs surgeries across Manchester have added extra appointment slots in response to demand. There are also walk-ins and after-hours services available. Local health trusts hope that this will go some way towards tackling winter care issues.