NHS Winter Pressures

Winter is the busiest period for the NHS, with increases in the number of people needing help across all services. Throughout Humber and North Yorkshire, accident and emergency departments in the region’s hospitals have been extremely busy.

Using services wisely can help to reduce pressure on the NHS and may help patients to be treated sooner than attending local hospital emergency departments, allowing medical staff to focus on treating those people who need it most.

To help staff prioritise care for those who are sickest and most vulnerable, the NHS is urging people who need urgent medical help to use NHS 111 via phone, the NHS App or online to 111.nhs.uk.

Highly trained advisors at NHS 111 will assess and direct people to the most appropriate local service, including urgent treatment centres, GP practices, and consultations with a pharmacist. If needed, staff can also arrange a call back from a nurse, doctor or paramedic.

NHS 111 is an easy and convenient way for people to get urgent help for a wide range of health problems from the comfort of their own home.

However, people should still call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency – when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.