Helping local patients get the Right Care in the Right Place

To help patients become aware of changes to accessing their local Emergency Department with non life threatening conditions, NHS Western Isles has produced a short animation. The animation can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/571641764 

Accessing urgent care has changed so patients can receive the right care in the right place, as well as helping to keep both them and the NHS safe.  For residents (and visitors) who think they need to visit the Emergency Department but it is not life-threatening, there is a number of options available. 

NHS 24 telephone service on 111 will be available day or night to assess your needs and direct you to the service you need. In addition, during normal opening hours, you should still call your GP practice, or get help online from a wide range of information and resources on NHS inform.

NHS Western Isles Medical Director, Dr Frank McAuley, said: “In Scotland, we have had to change the way we access urgent case, as a result of COVID-19. This is why the NHS24 service has expanded and it is now available day and night for urgent care. You can of course also continue to contact your GP practice for advice during the day. Our priority is to help keep you and our local NHS safe. You can help us to help you by changing the way you access urgent care. This will ensure that the Emergency Department is kept for emergencies only.” 

This short animation from NHS Western Isles, and narrated by Susan Macaulay, NHS Western Isles Emergency Department Manager, provides a brief introduction for patients on the differences between non-urgent and urgent conditions, and what to do for each. 

This will help you get the right care in the right place, often closer to home and without the need to go to the Emergency Department.  

However, individuals are reminded that in emergencies, they should continue to call 999 or go directly to the Emergency Department.  Emergencies include a suspected heart attack, stroke, severe breathing difficulties, severe bleeding or serious injury.  

Produced in response to the national ‘Right Care Right Place’ campaign. 

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