Gainsborough: Choose Better campaign aims to cut down unnecessary visits to A&E departments

West Lindsey residents are being encouraged to think about where they seek treatment when they feel ill.
Co-ordinating Member for Health and Community Safety Cllr Alan Caine and Richard Childs, lay chair of the NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group after their health checks in Marshalls Yard.Co-ordinating Member for Health and Community Safety Cllr Alan Caine and Richard Childs, lay chair of the NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group after their health checks in Marshalls Yard.
Co-ordinating Member for Health and Community Safety Cllr Alan Caine and Richard Childs, lay chair of the NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group after their health checks in Marshalls Yard.

Free health checks were offered in Gainsborough promote Choose Better, a national campaign to make people think about whether a trip to Accident and Emergency is the best course of action.

The campaign is aimed at those most likely to visit A and E when they could seek treatment in other ways, including parents of children aged 0 to 4-years-old and those between the ages of 22 and 29-years-old.

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Recent NHS statistics revealed that up to 16 per cent of people visiting Lincoln’s A and E could have been treated by visiting a pharmacy, seeing their GP, calling the NHS 111 service or using a local walk-in centre.

The message is for people to consider whether their situation is serious enough for a visit to A and E, which is intended for life-threatening accidents and emergencies only.

Coun Alan Caine, Co-ordinating Member for Health and Community Safety, said: “We have a responsibility for all our residents’ health and wellbeing, and this campaign offers the best results.”

“It’s crucial to explain what other options are available.”

“We have so many great facilities in the district, including rural areas.”

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Richard Childs, lay chair of the NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group added: “This is very sensible advice.”

“We really want to raise awareness that you can get initial help from a pharmacy or a GP in the first instance.”

“We also recommend self-medicating with pharmacy advice.

Residents should remember that A and E is for really ill or injured people.”

“Your local pharmacy and GP along with walk in centres and urgent care centres also offer excellent support and 111 is also available 24 hours a day for initial advice for any health concerns.”