Question reference: S6W-06608
- Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 15 February 2022
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 4 March 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can clarify if it is NHS 24 policy to refer patients to their GP, during GP opening times.
Answer
NHS 24 has played a key role in the response to Covid-19, completely altering the way in which they deliver their Service from a predominantly out of hours Service to 24/7 advice and support for patients both for Covid and in support of the re-design of unscheduled care.
In response to the re-design of unscheduled care programme, the Scottish Government has also successfully launched national media campaigns to help ensure clear and concise public information is delivered to support a reduction of unscheduled ED attendances by directing the public to access the right care from the most appropriate service for their needs.
Callers to 111 are encouraged to seek help from their own GP or from 999 in an emergency, if this is more appropriate and to access NHS inform for information and advice on seasonal illness information and self-help guides.