Details of key actions to mitigate against severe pressures on the health and care system over the busy winter period have been published. 
 
Members of South Lanarkshire’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) approved a report which outlined robust yet flexible preparations for the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, staffing challenges and traditional winter pressures from increased respiratory illness such as flu.
 
The arrangements are being set in place in close partnership with key agencies, including NHS Lanarkshire, respective local authorities, local and national partners. 
 
“It’s been well-documented that health and social care services have already experienced winter levels of pressure in the middle of summer,” said Soumen Sengupta, Director of Health and Care for South Lanarkshire.
 
“The current backdrop is well publicised - we are experiencing increased demands across our entire systems of health and social care, higher levels of staff sickness due to the Covid-19 pandemic and national staff shortages. As we now actually approach the season, it has never been more important to plan for the additional pressures on the system that can be created in the winter months. 

“Plans have been refined for some time and we continue to work closely with all partners. We are gearing up to be very responsive and our unremitting focus is patient and service user safety.”
 
The IJB heard how actions are underpinned by the largest flu vaccination campaign ever undertaken in Lanarkshire. Almost 400,000 people will be eligible for either a flu vaccine, Covid-19 vaccine or both in 2021. Both North and South Lanarkshire Councils have assisted in the identification of the venues for the campaign.
 
Mr Sengupta said: “The Covid-19 booster, along with the flu vaccine, will help to protect our communities through the winter period. We are working our way through the priority lists for those who are eligible and I would encourage people to attend their vaccination appointment when they are invited.”
 
The IJB heard about other measures which included:
 
•    The largest ever vaccination programme for staff is also well underway. This will include NHS employed staff, social care staff from both council and independent and voluntary sectors in Lanarkshire and all teaching/school based staff who will be eligible for a flu vaccine. Many of these staff will also be eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, as part of the overall vaccination programme. 
•    Plans on having a range of additional staff to support flow across the hospital system and into the community. This will include identifying patients who are clinically well enough for discharge at the earliest and safest stage – to ensure hospital capacity for people who are most unwell. 
•    GPs: To ensure continued access for patients, some practices will be open on public holidays during the festive period (Tuesday 28 December and Tuesday 4). Full details will be clearly communicated in due course. 
•    There will also be an extended public holiday pharmacy service available to ensure that people can access prescriptions

 
More details can be found in the report.
 
Councillor John Bradley, Chair of the IJB said: “We welcome the arrangements set out and recognise that our staff and partners remain resolutely committed to providing the exemplary care and support. We are immensely grateful for their ongoing dedication. 
 “These actions are designed to underpin and direct our resource and energies to priority areas as they emerge.
 “The bottom line is that we need everyone to play their part – and that includes members of the public. 
 “Central to the approach is our ongoing messaging which has and will clearly detail how people will be able to get the right care at the right time. 
 “We’d ask people to take heed of these messages and continue to be kind to or staff and partners, who are committed to caring, come rain, hail or shine.”
The final winter plan will be considered by the NHS Lanarkshire Board in December.