Online tool launched to ensure patients access appropriate care during winter

A new online hub will help Lanarkshire residents to access healthcare services this winter.

The Winter Health Hub will include a guide to the support available over the festive period.  

John Keaney, acute medical director for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “As we enter winter and approach the festive period, it is important that everyone is familiar with the wide range of NHS services that are available to them.

“If you are unwell, you can access healthcare advice in many ways. It’s important to go for the right care in the right place whether that be seeking advice on NHS Inform, by contacting your pharmacist or seeking help out of hours via NHS 24.”

The tool will also include information on opening times for pharmacies and GPs, as well as show users where to access mental health, cost-of-living, travel, and weather advice.

The new hub follows Labour’s health spokesperson Jackie Baillie warning that the NHS is heading towards “potential catastrophe this winter” after the latest statistics revealed more than 6,000 patients waited over 12 hours for help at A&E departments in October.