Following a further meeting to discuss NHS winter pressures, chaired by First Minister John Swinney, Health Secretary Neil Gray has thanked all those working in health and social care settings for their ‘extraordinary efforts’ over the busy holiday period.
The meeting, attended by representatives from the Scottish Ambulance Service, Public Health Scotland, NHS 24 and territorial health boards, covered the latest system updates, the high cases of influenza and how the health service is responding to increased demand.
The Health Secretary said:
“The NHS continues to face significant winter pressures, including cases of Influenza A, which remain very high.
“I am enormously grateful to all those working in health and social care settings for their extraordinary efforts over the busy festive period.
“I was encouraged to hear about the collaborative working right across the system, with strong leadership and staff supporting each other.
“I want to thank the public, too, for taking heed of messages about accessing the Right Care in the Right Place, and taking steps to help slow the spread of infection.
“It is important for everyone to be familiar with the different resources available, including NHS Inform’s online tools that can help you to get appropriate health advice as quickly as possible.
“People should always call 999 in a life-threatening emergency, but if this is not the case please visit nhsinform.scot or call NHS24 on 111 first.
“Everyone can reduce the chance of catching flu or spreading it to others with good hand hygiene and other precautions, staying home if you have respiratory symptoms and most crucially, getting the vaccination if eligible.
“I urge those who are eligible for vaccinations this winter to come forward as soon as possible to protect themselves against seasonal illnesses.”
