WIREDGOV

Health Secretary Neil Gray underlined the ‘resolve and resilience’ of the NHS as he praised the dedication of Scotland’s health and social care workforce in facing up to an ‘extraordinary surge’ in Influenza A cases.

The number of patients admitted to hospital as an emergency and testing positive for flu has surpassed the recent peak of the winter of 2022/23.

Following the latest in a series of meetings with First Minister John Swinney, health boards, the Scottish Ambulance Service, Public Health Scotland and NHS 24 earlier this week, Mr Gray praised the NHS response to the increased pressures on the system, in a statement to parliament.

He also thanked members of the public for continuing to follow guidance on the best way to access services, and for doing their bit to reduce the spread of infections in the community.

He stated that, as of 15 December, more than 1.2 million adult flu vaccinations have been administered. Those eligible to be vaccinated have until March to do so, with many health boards offering drop-in clinics.

Mr Gray said expert healthcare advice is available without the need for an appointment through the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service, adding that £13.6 million of additional funding has been invested in General Practices to enable the recruitment and retention of staff.

Services such as Discharge to Assess and Hospital at Home are also key to helping health and social care partnerships to reduce delayed discharges, ensuring people who are clinically ready to leave hospital can do so.

Mr Gray said:

“The resilience and determination shown by staff in the face of pressures across the health and care sector is inspiring.

“Every part of our health service has gone above and beyond to serve the country during the hardest months of the year.

“I’d like to thank the ambulance service staff for their sacrifice and devotion to their task, staying at work beyond the end of their shift as they wait to turnaround at hospitals.

“I’d also like to thank social care staff doing extra shifts to make up for staff being off sick with flu and GPs working at the weekends to offer appointments and bolster the resilience of the entire system.

“Hospital staff, like the porter I met at St John’s in Livingston on Christmas Eve, are working hard to turnaround beds as quickly as possible.

“This is the reality of public service - relentless, skilled, devoted and dedicated work to serve the people that need it most.

“Thanks to the incredible efforts of NHS staff and sure-handed planning, we are facing this with resilience and resolve.”

Background

• The Scottish Government and COSLA co-produced the 2024-25 Winter Preparedness plan a month earlier than last year, in September 2024
• Health Secretary Neil Gray announced an additional £13.6 million funding for General Practice in November 
• £100 million of funding to improve patient flow, to support the expansion of Hospital at Home to 2,000 beds by December 2026, has been included in the draft Scottish Budget.

• People who are eligible for winter vaccinations should check Winter vaccines | NHS inform and their local health boards for available drop-in clinics.