For those who may not know the Doctor Patient Partnership is a
government funded group which is meant to advise the public on
appropriate use of NHS services. Up to know they have tended to
concentrate on the use of GP services as this is where the majority of
doctor patient contacts occur (about 90% I am told). However they have
readily agreed to do more work on use of A&E services and the attached
press release went out today.
A&E Consultants will be involved through BAEM in further work on this.
"Doctor Patient Partnership launches Health Alert 2000
A major new initiative to avoid an even worse health crisis over the
Millennium
celebrations has been launched today by the Doctor Patient Partnership.
In order to avoid what has the potential to be a significantly more
serious winter
crisis in 12 months time, the DPP has launched Health Alert 2000, which
aims to
bring together all the relevant organisations actively involved in
delivering health
services over the 10-day Millennium celebrations.
Health Alert 2000 will develop information for health professionals and
the public
on what services are available, who to call for advice, tips on getting
the best out
of the services and encouragement on the responsible use of health
services over
the Millennium celebrations. The DPP has invited health related
organisations
representing patients groups, accident and emergency, hospital, general
practice,
nursing, pharmaceutical and out-of-hours medical services to join the
Health Alert
2000 task force.
Dr Simon Fradd, Chairman of the Doctor Patient Partnership, said: "The
flu
outbreak this year clearly illustrates the need for public education and
the
coordination of health services over the long holiday celebration
period. This year
there was a public misconception that because doctors' surgeries were
closed,
there was no GP cover, so many people inappropriately went to their
local
accident and emergency department instead. All GPs have an obligation to
provide
a 24 hour service, 365 days a year, including bank holidays."
The Millennium bank holiday will result in more people being away from
their
home than ever before. In the event that they need medical attention
which is
neither the result of an accident or emergency, they should contact a
local
pharmacist, NHS Direct or a local GP. They should not go to a local
hospital. The
Doctor Patient Partnership is coordinating Health Alert 2000 so that the
public will
know how to make this contact."
--
Andrew
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