Health chiefs and campaigners are urging the public to call 111 before attending Vale of Leven Hospital this winter. Last week, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde bosses met with the Hospitalwatch group to stress the importance of having a referral to the Vale of Leven’s Medical Assessment Unit rather than arriving unannounced. Patients can be referred to the MAU by their GP, by calling NHS 24 on 111 out of hours, or brought in by ambulance. Self-referring may lead to redirection to a different service, causing delays that could have been avoided with prior contact with a healthcare provider.
During the meeting, four members of Hospitalwatch, led by chair Jim Moohan, received updates on the hospital’s winter preparations, including plans to address flu, Covid-19, and norovirus pressures. They were informed about increased bed capacity strategies if needed and efforts to tackle delayed discharges. Additionally, it was highlighted that the Vale of Leven Hospital now has 40 GPs in its out-of-hours service and has relaunched a dedicated Transient Ischemic Attack Clinic led by a stroke consultant.
Melanie McColgan, Director of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Clyde sector, emphasised the importance of utilising the correct pathways for accessing healthcare services. She encouraged the public to contact their GP during normal hours for non-life threatening conditions or NHS 24 on 111 outside regular hours to ensure appropriate care and reduce the need for secondary transfers. Jim Moohan echoed the sentiment, urging the public to follow established pathways and not to put undue pressure on the hospital by self-referring.
As winter approaches and healthcare systems face additional challenges, the collaboration between health officials, community campaigners, and the public plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient and effective healthcare delivery. By adhering to the recommended pathways for seeking medical assistance, individuals can contribute to smoother processes and better outcomes for all.