The Scottish Government has launched a new awareness campaign to ensure patients understand the best place to access healthcare.
The targeted campaign, which will feature advertising during television programmes, radio broadcasts and online, has been rolled out to inform people how to access the most appropriate care for their needs.
The Scottish Government’s launch of Right Care Right Place comes earlier than in previous years as it bids to further alleviate the anticipated pressures across NHS Scotland.
The campaign will recommend the public use self-help guides on the NHS website, seek advice from their local pharmacy, phone NHS 24 on 111, or contact their GP. Patients should only present at A&E in genuine emergencies.
Scottish health secretary, Michael Matheson, said: “Through this campaign we want to make sure the public know exactly how to access services when they need them.
“This will help everyone to get the right care, in the right place as quickly as possible. Crucially, it will also help to alleviate pressures on the rest of the system.”
The announcement comes at the same time as NHS England launches its own awareness campaign to curb the amount of the hospital admissions caused by urinary tract infections (UTIs).
New data shows that more than 800,000 people have been admitted to hospital because of UTIs in the last five years.
The campaigns come prior to what health leaders believe will be another busy winter, with last year’s breaking records for demand.
“Since early spring we have been working closely with colleagues across the NHS and social care to make sure that every possible mitigation is in place ahead of winter,” added Matheson.
“Our Winter Plan will be published later this month.”
Image credit: iStock
