NHS Wales chief reveals plans to ease winter pressures
The Chief Executive of NHS Wales has urged people to choose well this winter as he revealed the plans in place to ease pressures on services.
Dr Andrew Goodall has asked people not to dial 999 or visit an A&E department at the first sign of injury or illness, and instead consider using more appropriate sources of care.
Health boards, local authorities and the ambulance service have implemented joint plans for dealing with winter pressures.
The revised plans, will ensure that each service works together to:
Reduce hospital admissions through increased use of other services such as GP out of hours and minor injury units.
Reduce the length of patients stay through increased consultant cover, less delayed transfers of care and improved patient transport.
Improve the flow of service by extending working hours to include weekends and evenings etc.
Read more: Hospitals' preparedness during winter to be outlined by NHS boss