NHS workers prepare for a tough week - as they expect a post-snow rush

NHS workers are preparing for a tough week - as they expect a post-snow rush.

After the chaos the weather caused last week, many routine appointments and surgeries were cancelled - which will cause a big build up to deal with this week.

They're asking people to delay booking their appointments if at all possible, and be patience as they get surgeries and treatments rescheduled.

NHS England’s Medical Director for Cumbria and the North East, Professor Chris Gray, said: “We want to reassure people the NHS in our region is coping, but please use services responsibly and only go to an A&E department for emergencies or life threatening conditions.

“Urgent care centres are open as usual, as are GP practices, many of which offer appointments in the evening or over the weekend. Please ring ahead to make an appointment if you don’t have one. You can also arrange an appointment by calling NHS 111.

“The NHS Choices website is an excellent site to get health advice and information about where to go to get the right treatment. And if you need medical help and advice fast, but it’s not life-threatening or an emergency, call NHS 111 at any time.

“I want to thank our NHS colleagues in the North East and North Cumbria for their heroic and determined efforts to make sure patients have received and continue to receive the care they need. Staff are staying overnight at hospitals, getting lifts to work from family and colleagues with four-wheel drive vehicles and are even walking long distances to get to their place of work. Everyone appreciates their dedication and efforts in such difficult circumstances.”

Dr Stewart Findlay, a GP and chair of the North East and North Cumbria urgent and emergency care network said, “Thank you to NHS staff for all of your hard work over the last few days. Without you all, we wouldn’t have been able to keep services running the way we have done.

“I would urge everyone to think about how they can support NHS services by keeping yourself warm, looking after yourself and only seeking medical help when it’s an emergency.”

Cold weather can be very harmful to health and around 25,000 more people die over the course of each winter compared with other times of the year.