A new drive is being launched in Wrexham to relieve the growing pressure on hospital accident and emergency departments this winter.
Frontline health staff will take their Choose Well Winter Campaign to the Eagles Meadow shopping centre on Friday, November 22.
Clinicians from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will emphasise the importance of seeking the most appropriate service for an illness or injury rather than relying on Emergency Departments.
Shoppers who manage to find the correct answers to a questionnaire which will be handed out at the event will be entered into a draw to win a top-of-the-range iPad.
Dr Aruni Sen, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, says it’s imperative Emergency Departments (A&E) and ambulance services are only used for serious illnesses or injuries this winter.
He said: “The Choose Well Campaign is a North Wales initiative which will help patients make the right choices. It’s vital we don’t allow our Emergency Departments to get clogged up as has happened in the past.
“The Choose Well Campaign works like a temperature chart with blue at the bottom for symptoms such as hangovers, a grazed knee or perhaps a cough. These conditions simply do not require treatment at an Emergency Department and can be dealt with using by self-care.
“Moving up the scale to green we have conditions such as diarrhoea, upset stomachs or a runny nose, all symptoms that can be sorted out with a visit to a pharmacist.
“Then at the top of the scale, the red section, we have choking, chest pains, blood loss or serious injury. These are clearly matters that should be dealt with at an Emergency Department and may require a 999 call for an ambulance.
“It’s all about giving the public the right information so they make the correct, and right, choice. We should not be clogging up Emergency Departments by presenting for treatment with very minor injuries or conditions.
“We are grateful to the management of Eagles Meadow for giving us the opportunity to set up an information point within the shopping centre at which we can, hopefully, get our message across to a large number of people.”
Dr Olwen Williams Chief of Staff, Primary Community and Specialist Medicine Clinical Programme Group, added: “Winter is the busiest time of year for us and there’s a year on year increase in the number of people using Emergency Departments.
“But we have patients coming into Emergency Departments unnecessarily with for example, a small paper cut on a finger, one patient had an office staple in a finger, another wanted to be treated for mild sunburn, and one patient complained that their finger had gone yellow after they applied a sticking plaster coated in turmeric to a small wound themselves.
“These cases are only a snapshot of those that come through our doors which can be dealt with outside of the emergency arena, leaving us ready to deal with the seriously ill.”
He added: “We are urging people to stop and think before making a decision what treatment they need, unlike perhaps the examples I have given who all turned up seeking emergency hospital treatment.
“This is where the Choose Well Campaign is so useful for advice and important support throughout the winter.”
The Campaign is also reaching out to people aged between 15-29 after statistics revealed it’s this age group who regularly use an Emergency Department when their ailment could be dealt with more quickly and efficiently by a pharmacist, GP or minor injuries units for cuts, bites and strains.
Dr Williams added: “There is a really good smartphone app supporting the Choose Well Campaign now and I would urge those who enjoy web browsing on their phone, pc or tablet to download it and have it ready for the winter weeks ahead.”
In addition to the Choose Well this winter campaign, shoppers at Eagles Meadow visiting the information point will be able to try on a pair of beer goggles, which replicate what happens to a person’s vision after consuming large quantities of alcohol.
Health Improvement Practitioner James Duckers said: “We will be supporting alcohol awareness week through fun interactive ways which helps get the serious message over. People can try out our beer goggles which simulate the influence of alcohol round a mini course and also use equipment to see the correct unit measurement of certain drinks.
“We want to encourage people to be sensible especially this time of year when thoughts turn to the festive season and ultimately choose well to help their own health and safety we will also be encouraging people to undertake the Dry January challenge during the event as this is a great way to give your body a break from the booze.”
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley is delighted to be able to welcome staff from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to the shopping centre.
He said: “It’s important we try and help Emergency Departments in trying to get their message across. Eagles Meadow is very busy and I know our regular customers appreciate our policy of allowing outside bodies, such as the Health Board, to put up information points around the shopping centre.
“I’m thrilled to be able to play our part in the Choose Well Campaign and if just a handful of people get the message that hospital Emergency Departments are there for those that really need help due to serious injuries or life-threatening conditions, we will have played an important role.”
