The NHS in Gloucestershire is this week launching its annual ASAP campaign and asking people to think twice before heading to A&E or calling 999 when it’s not an emergency.

The campaign visuals under the banner ‘Some people really need A&E, Do you?’ show images of patients who are seriously unwell, with clear advice for people if they are ill and injured and not sure where to turn.

Dr Tom Llewellyn, Clinical Director for Emergency Care at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:

“Our emergency departments are very busy places, particularly during the winter months, and therefore we urge the public to do the right thing and only use A&E if they have life threatening conditions or serious injuries.

If it isn’t a genuine emergency, you are highly likely to receive the care you need in a more timely way if you access other health services available. We need to focus our time on those patients who are seriously unwell.

The campaign message is clear with four simple ways to get instant advice on the right service or care option for you.”

The campaign advises people to download the ASAP App (ASAP Glos NHS), Search the ASAP website (www.asapglos.nhs.uk), Ask NHS 111 or pop in to their local Pharmacy.

The ASAP App and website allow users to ‘Search by Service’ or ‘Search by Condition’, with a step-by-step guide through symptoms, self-care advice and signposting to the appropriate NHS service/s. It also includes service opening hours as well as addresses and location information.

Dr Andy Seymour, Clinical Chair at NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group said:

“The choice of healthcare options is often greater than people realise, particularly for non-emergencies, and A&E isn’t always the best place to go. This campaign is about helping people to access important health advice when they need it most.”

Dr Caroline Bennet, Urgent Care Lead at NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group said:

“We know that many people are already following the campaign’s call to action, but we need everyone to use NHS services responsibly. If your condition isn’t a genuine emergency and you turn up at A&E, you are likely to wait longer to be seen, could delay more poorly patients from receiving the care they need and also waste precious NHS resources.”

The high profile campaign includes social media and radio advertising, newspaper features, distribution of eye catching promotional material and outdoor advertising.

The CCG’s Information Bus will be out and about around the county promoting the campaign messages. People can visit the bus on the following dates and locations between 10am and 3pm.

Date Location
Thursday 26/01/17 Tewkesbury, Spring Gardens Car Park  
Friday 03/02/17 Stroud, King Street
Monday 06/02/17 Gloucester, Cross
Wednesday 08/02/17 Cheltenham, M&S
Thursday 16/2/17 Coleford, Clock Tower Roundabout
Tuesday 28 Feb Gloucester, Cross
Thursday 23/02/17 Cheltenham, M&S

If local organisations and groups are willing to support the campaign through social media, display of web banners or posters or by including an article in their publications, they can contact: GLCCG.enquiries@nhs.net