We are winter ready, are you?

Winter planning

The NHS continues to experience significant pressure for a range of reasons including high demand, COVID-19 and challenges discharging patients from hospital.

In anticipation of a challenging winter for the NHS and social care services, NHS England has announced additional measures to boost capacity, support staff and provide better care for patients at home.

Our experienced clinicians at South Tees Hospitals are also putting our local resilience plans into place to make sure we are winter ready including:

Plans to open an additional winter ward at The James Cook University Hospital.
Encouraging all staff to have their flu and COVID-19 vaccination boosters.
Fully utilising our new discharge suite.
Working closely with partner organisations to ensure a smoother transition into social care services.
Supporting our virtual wards, Hospital at Home and other community services to provide more services closer to home.

You can also support your local NHS the winter:

Be prepared

Get your flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster if you are eligible.
Stock up your medicine cabinet – make sure you have the following basics: painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen; antihistamines for allergies; antiseptic cream; a laxative to help constipation, oral rehydration salts, anti-diarrhoea tablets, indigestion relief remedies and a first aid kit with plasters and bandages.
Check local news and weather forecasts for advice when bad weather is forecast
Check on vulnerable neighbours or relatives, especially during periods of adverse weather
Order your repeat prescriptions in advance of the festive bank holidays or when you know a spell of bad weather is forecast

Know where to go

If your need is not life threatening, please do not come into A&E without first seeking advice from NHS 111, a pharmacist or your GP.
For minor illnesses or minor injuries go to your nearest urgent treatment centre. Our urgent treatment centres are located at Redcar Hospital and the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.
For urgent dental advice call 0300 123 1933.
Can’t get an urgent appointment with your South Tees GP? Ask them to make you an evening or weekend appointment with South Tees Access Response (STAR) GP hubs or call 111.

Not sure what to do?

NHS 111 can help if you need urgent medical help or you are not sure what to do. They will ask questions about your symptoms so you get the help you need.

If you need to go to the emergency department or an urgent treatment centre, NHS 111 can book you an arrival time where appropriate so you spend less time waiting.

You can get help from 111.nhs.uk or call 111 24 hours a day, seven days a week.