NHS Direct and NHS Hastings and Rother are encouraging local people to consider using NHS Direct over the busy winter period so that they can get the advice they need quickly and easily, and allow other local health services to remain available for those who need them most.
NHS Direct is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people looking for health information and advice on the telephone (0845 46 47) and on the web (www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect).
Research by NHS Direct has highlighted those residents who are typically low users of the service, including men and women from different postcode areas, young people aged 14 to 21, older people (of retirement age) or those people who have recently arrived in England from abroad and may have less knowledge of the healthcare services available.
Analysis has found that low users of the service tend to have limited knowledge about the type or severity of their illness and are more likely worry needlessly or leave things too late, believing that symptoms will get better given time.
They are often unaware or confused by the full range of healthcare options available and are least likely to understand the right place to turn.
Lisa Hodgson, South East Regional Director at NHS Direct says:
"We’re really pleased to be working with NHS Hastings and Rother to increase public awareness of NHS Direct. 60% of our callers are given advice that allows them to care for themselves at home, only seeking further advice if symptoms persist.
Our analysis shows that this type of self-care advice really improves the access to other health services in the local area, which is particularly important in the busy winter months when health services are heavily used."
Diana Grice, Director of Public Health for NHS Hastings and Rother, says:
"Helping to raise awareness of the service NHS Direct provides is all part of our efforts to encourage people to use the right NHS service to meet their need.
"If people can get information and advice over the phone or online that saves them needing to go and use another NHS service, that’s better for patients and better for the NHS as it allows us to make the best use of resources at a time of year when we are very busy."
NHS Hastings and Rother will be distributing NHS Direct information materials - including leaflets, posters and window stickers - to local GP practices, pharmacies and dentists, local libraries and other outlets.
How Hastings and Rother residents currently use NHS Direct
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In the last 12 months nearly 16,000 calls were made to NHS Direct’s 0845 46 47 telephone service by residents in Hastings and Rother.
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Last month, patients in Hastings and Rother contacted NHS Direct most about abdominal pain, dental tooth/jaw pain, rashes or with a medicines enquiry.
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In 2009/10, the value NHS Direct added in NHS Hastings and Rother was the equivalent of £707k (£4.00 per resident) by reducing demand elsewhere in the NHS.
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In 2009/10, 5,600 inappropriate A&E/999 referrals, and 6,300 GP consultations were avoided in Hastings and Rother through patients’ use of NHS Direct’s services.
