Summary
NHS England and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine have released advice to the public which urges people suffering from viral coughs, flu and minor ailments to recover at home, use NHS 111 and / or visit their local pharmacists.
Reference
Triggle, N. (2015). Only use A&E in emergency this Christmas, public told. London: BBC Health News, December 26th 2015.
This relates to:
Reference
NHS urges people to only use A&E in an emergency and avoid post-Christmas surge. London: NHS England, December 26th 2015.
Broader analysis, from BBC News, on the requirement for more informed citizen responsibility in drawing upon NHS facilities appropriately (to avoid waste and reduce unnecessary demands upon scarce vital resources):
Reference
Triggle, N. (2015). Why the NHS needs better-behaved patients. London: BBC Health News, December 26th 2015.
December 2017 Update
Mobile units to assist persons the worse for wear from alcohol-related difficulties (aka “Drunk tanks”) may become more commonplace, which is hoped will reduce the demand for emergency services.
Reference
Triggle, N. (2017). Drunk tanks may become norm, NHS boss warns ‘selfish’ revellers. London: BBC Health News, December 29th 2017.
This relates to:
Reference
NHS to consider routine use of ‘drunk tanks’ to ease pressure on A&Es. [Online]: NHS England, December 29th 2017.
Resistance to Reduce Peer Pressure?
Reference
Ives, L. (2018). How to resist ‘drink pushers’ during the festive season. London: BBC Health News, December 27th 2018.
Trends in Alcohol-Specific Hospital Activity
Reference
Roberts, M. (2015). A&E visits for alcohol poisoning ‘double in six years’. London: BBC Health News, December 26th 2015.
In addition to discussing trends in alcohol-specific activity, the following document explores the use of hospital services before and after diagnosis of alcohol-related liver disease; pointing to opportunities for preventative action to reduce alcohol-related harm.
Reference
Currie, C. Davies, A. [and] Blunt, I. [et al] (2015). Alcohol-specific activity in hospitals in England. London: Nuffield Trust, December 21st 2015.
Possibly also of broadly related interest:
Reference
Triggle, N. (2015). A&E matron: It’s like the most complex chess game ever. London: BBC Health News, December 21st 2015.
Loosely related:
Reference
NHS top doctor says ‘don’t let elderly be lonely this Christmas’. London: NHS England, December 23rd 2015.