Sheffield Doctors in Health Campaign

Sheffield GP Dr Richard Oliver, and Dr Roger Dalton from Accident and Emegency at the Northern General Hospital, have both agreed to have their photos plastered on city buses and Sheffield Hotels for a campaign to encourage patients to think carefully about where they go for treatment.

The Sheffield Doctors Health campaign urges people to consider whether a trip to their doctor or A&E is the best place for them - or advise from the NHS phone line, NHS Direct.

Concerns are growing that too many people are using services inappropriately.

As a doctor working in Sheffield A & E, I have faced scores of patients with minor ailments that do not need to seen in A & E and can be better treated by their Gp's or even the NHS help line, The NHS Direct. As a doctor in A & E, you are forever racing against the 4 hour Govt. target to see the patients. The recent cold snap has just made things worse, with immense pressure on the NHS resources.

According to Dr Dalton: "We've had a really busy few weeks in A&E at The Northern, as people are suffering the effects of the recent cold snap and need hospital care."

"However we are also seeing lots of people with minor illnesses such as coughs and colds that really don't need emergency care.

"The campaign is really about trying to get people to stop and think which service is best for them, and ring NHS Direct if they are in any doubt."

Hopefully, this campaign will instill a "Think before heading to A & E approach" and therefore lead to more efficient use of resources.

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