NHS In Cheshire And Merseyside Takes Steps To Improve Care And Help Speed Up Discharge For Patients

The introduction of state-of-the-art elective surgical hubs, giving patients faster access to some of the more common surgical procedures such as cataract surgeries and hip replacements, has also helped reduce the backlog of patients waiting for treatment ahead of winter.

The second phase of the multi-million-pound Cheshire and Merseyside Surgical Centre at Clatterbridge Hospital has now opened, with 3,000 elective patients having been treated in phase one in its first year. With two more theatres now opened in phase two of the project, this will increase capacity to treat 6,000 extra elective patients a year.

North West Ambulance Service is also well on its way in ensuring it continues to deliver a high-quality service despite additional winter demands. By Christmas, 75 new paramedics and 32 emergency medical technicians will have joined NWAS, with more due to be in post by March 2024. There will also be 72 new recruits for the Patient Transport Service and 250 new call handlers for the 999 and NHS 111 contact centres.

The service is also increasing the number of clinicians working in its 999 contact centres. There will also be an additional 32 emergency ambulances responding to patients by February, bringing the total operating across the region to 553.

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Medical Director, Professor Rowan Pritchard-Jones, said:

“The NHS has tried and tested plans to help manage periods of high pressure, and ensuring safe care for patients continues to be our top priority.

“We are working closely with local NHS Trusts and other partners across health and social care to think more innovatively about how we deliver services and make sure that all possible capacity is effectively utilised, in order to help reduce delays to people’s care this winter.

“The public can also play their part this winter by coming forward for the right care when they need it, such as calling 111 or using NHS 111 online to get urgent advice on the best NHS service for their clinical needs, and dialling 999 in life-threatening emergencies.

“Vaccinations are the best protection against becoming seriously ill from both flu and COVID-19 and passing the virus on to others – we urge everyone eligible for COVID- 19 vaccination and the free flu vaccine to take them up as soon as possible to ensure they are fully protected during the winter months.”

For more advice on the things you can do to help yourself stay well in winter:

 www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/your-health/helping-you-stay-well/stay-well-this-winter/