Q: “Given the present situation, what please is your message to the local communities in places like South Woodham Ferrers about the levels of services they can expect today and how they can help you to make those services work as well as possible? In particular as examples, what can they expect and should do if people seem likely to be having a cardiac arrest, a heart attack, a stroke, be involved in a serious accident where there seems to be a major trauma patient, and a serious accident where someone seems to have an open fracture or broken pelvis?”
A:” The NHS is under extreme pressure which you have no doubt seen on the national news as well a hearing about local stories. There are number of key messages that we would like to convey to the public at this time.
Firstly, when faced with an accident or major emergency such as those described in your question it is imperative the public dial 999 and seek professional advice and support. Despite the pressures faced by the ambulance service they are still prioritising the most urgent cases and will advise patients accordingly.
However, as you say, there are many things the public can do to ease pressure on local services.
The Do Your Bit campaign toolkit Do Your Bit campaign toolkit – Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ics.nhs.uk), has previously been shared and remains accessible on the ICB website to guide the public in accessing services; for example by calling 111 for health advice; by using the pharmacist for help with basic health complaints; by stocking up appropriately on prescription and non-prescription medication; and by taking up the vaccinations on offer for flu and covid in the eligible population.
We are aware that outpatient and elective services are also under pressure and suggest that where appropriate patients can access the referral support service rather than contacting their GPs when appointments change or are cancelled.
Monday to Friday from 08.00 hours until 18.00 hours telephone the Referral Support Service at NHS Mid & South Essex on 0300 123 0771 (local call rate). The service is fully operational within Mid Essex but roll out across the rest of MSE was delayed due to the reorganisation and now re-submitting the options appraisal paper for model/funding agreement. If patient phones from other areas the team will do what they can to support them. They will not be able to view their referral but can access the Acute Care Portal for all patients if they have been seen in MSEFT and will provide general support and link with the Wellbeing Service as necessary.
Members of the public attending who sit on groups that could help to get the message out, would of course be encouraged to share the public information such as via the public health e-bulletin for South Wooden Ferrers, which would be greatly appreciated.”
SWF Health & Social Care Group 