Campaign To Reduce A&E Visits

People across Fife are being urged to know who to turn to when they are ill or injured.

NHS Fife's 'Know Who To Turn To' campaign is aimed at helping people choose the most appropriate service for their needs so they can access the best treatment in the shortest time possible and reminds them that the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department is only for those who are seriously ill or injured.

It is estimated that around 200 people a month who attend the Accident & 
Emergency (A&E) Department at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy could have been better The 'Know Who To Turn To' booklet includes information on the following services 

• Looking after yourself

• Local Pharmacy services

• Mental Health services

• NHS 24 and Out of Hours service

• Minor Injuries Service

• Accident & Emergency

The A&E department exists to provide high quality care to the most seriously injured and severely unwell people. Unfortunately there are occasions when people attend A&E with conditions that are not serious. 

Dr Surinder Panpher, Consultant in Emergency Medicine said: "Our priority within A&E is to treat and care for the most seriously ill and injured patients who require urgent and life-saving treatment. 

"Increasingly more people are attending the A&E department seeking advice for minor complaints or check-ups for long term conditions. This risks diverting care and attention away from those who need it most.

"If people attend with a type of condition that is normally seen by their GP or who have already seen their GP for the same condition or have a condition that has been going on for more than three days they will be asked to use an alternative service."

The 'Know Who To Turn To' campaign provides further advice for the public on using NHS services appropriately.

Dr Panpher commented further: "If we all use NHS services responsibly we are helping to ensure that everyone will get the best possible treatment whenever they require it. It is important to get the right help and most of the time you can receive the right help from your local pharmacy, your GP practice or by looking after yourself. 

"Furthermore, minor injury services can treat injuries requiring stitches and minor burns and scalds which traditionally many people may have believed required going to an A&E, however, they can help with a wide variety of injuries such as cuts, wounds, strains and sprains."