There are hundreds of things the NHS and social care organisations in south west London are doing to help people stay well this winter – we’re sharing 10 points from the winter plan.
There are hundreds of things the NHS and social care organisations in south west London are doing to help people stay well this winter – we’re sharing 10 points from the winter plan.
Read our winter plan – 10 points
1. Community pharmacy and Pharmacy First scheme
Pharmacists give expert advice and can offer prescription-free medications for seven key conditions including earache for children.
2. Primary care same-day appointments and additional out of hours services
This includes additional funding for out-of-hours appointments over the festive period.
3. Vaccinations at pharmacies, GP practices and community settings
Key winter vaccinations include flu, covid-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Pneumococcal vaccines – free for those who are eligible.
4. A more resilient 111 provider
Our south west London 111 provider have improved performance so people receive a timely service.
5. Urgent community response
The urgent community response service brings health and care professionals to people’s door within two hours of a call, keeping people safe and well at home.
Virtual wards see people receive hospital-level care from the comfort of their own home, with tech-enabled 24/7 monitoring.
7. Improving urgent mental health support
There is now a single point of access to mental health services via 111.
Additional support in emergency departments and additional mental health inpatient beds.
8. Supporting people home from hospital
Speeding up the patient journey and making sure staff are supported.
Additional funding for frailty hubs, decisions at the front door, reducing ambulance handover times, same day emergency care.
9. Getting patients home quickly and safely
Additional funding for maintaining hospital general and acute bed capacity.
Speeding up discharge home from hospital – including social care and voluntary sector support.
10. Voluntary sector led community support and engagement
Including grant funded voluntary and community-led activities – good conversations about accessing healthcare, staying well and seasonal vaccines.