Ready to tackle winter pressures
As we prepare for the busy winter months, health and social care professionals across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West are building on their experience of working together throughout the year and during previous winters.
Colleagues from the county's hospitals, GP practices, social services, community health services, ambulance services, mental health services, and voluntary sector are working together as to provide safe, effective, and sustainable care for people across the county.
Patients and residents across the BOB region (so Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire areas) are being urged to do everything they can to get ‘winter ready’ by:
- Taking up the offer of free flu and COVID vaccinations if they are in eligible groups
- Using NHS 111 for advice on the most appropriate service for their needs
- Continuing to contact their GP practice about worrying symptoms
- Speaking to a pharmacist about minor illnesses
- Only using 999 and hospital Emergency Departments for life-threatening conditions
- Making sure they get repeat prescriptions in time for weekends and bank holidays
- Stocking up on over-the-counter medicines
- Looking out for vulnerable family members, friends, and neighbours.
Dr Rachael de Caux, Chief Medical Officer from the BOB Integrated Care Board which manages health services in the area, said: “Winter is always a busy time for the NHS and comes at the end of a year which has already seen all our teams under significant pressure.
“The focus this winter is on all parts of the health and social care system working together through our system winter plan. Thanks to the hard work which goes on every day across our BOB system we are aiming to put the NHS and social care on the front foot in supporting patients and local communities get the care they need.”
Rachael Corser, Chief Nursing Officer from the BOB Integrated Care Board said: “Our colleagues across NHS and care services continue to do an exceptional job in incredibly challenging circumstances, and we also need to thank local people for their ongoing support in using NHS services responsibly, and for showing respect and kindness towards health and care
professionals.”
You can find out what is happening across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West by clicking on the following links: