Lincolnshire's healthcare is preparing for winter with projects like acute respiratory hubs to address the expected surge in demand at this time of the year.

Rebecca Neno, Winter Director for the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, stressed the significance of these hubs for local respiratory care, addressing the NHS's recurrent winter challenges.

The Clinical Assessment Service, via the 111 helpline, swiftly connects Lincolnshire callers to local clinicians for home assessments.

"We absolutely shore up our services each year to ensure that the public can continue to access services as and when they need it," she explained.

These hubs offer specialised care for winter respiratory illnesses, informed by COVID-19 experiences.

Strategically located across Lincolnshire, these hubs aim to alleviate pressure on emergency departments alongside the encouraged use of the 111 service.

Andy Camm and Nicola McGarry from Lincolnshire And District Medical Services highlighted the East Coast respiratory hubs serving high-need areas in Ingoldmells, Skegness, Sutton on Sea, and Louth.

They mainly treat respiratory conditions, including chest infections, COPD, and asthma.

"The idea is to reduce external pressure on GP surgeries, urgent care centres and A&E," says Andy Camm.

Highlighting the service's growing uptake, Nicola said: "We've seen positive results since October.

"Our statistics are rising all the time, and we've had a really good positive start… which will help with winter mitigation."

Lincolnshire's NHS has expanded its Clinical Assessment Service, connecting 111 helpline callers to local clinicians.

Julie O'Rourke, leading the service, outlines its role in easing winter pressures.

This service facilitates full assessments over the phone, prescribing medication, booking Urgent Treatment Centre appointments, and referring to community services.

Julie highlighted using 111 and the "Waitless" app to reduce A&E visits, noting increased staffing to manage the 50% rise in winter patients seen in previous years.

"Last year, we saw a huge increase [in patients]… But this year, we have had an increase in staffing for winter. So we're hoping to provide a quicker service for patients," Julie says.

Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) will also play a central role in alleviating this year's winter pressures. Staffed with GPs and nurse practitioners, UTCs address various minor health issues, reducing A&E load.

Sue Critchell, clinical lead at Louth Urgent Treatment Centre, emphasised the importance of calling 111 for appropriate guidance, especially in rural Lincolnshire.

"It's really ring before you walk…we've put so much work as a trust into a countywide system of helping people, but it's not always the obvious place you need to go," she said.

Another key aspect of the winter plan involves the Same Day Emergency Care Assessment Units, located alongside emergency departments to provide immediate care within the same day, enabling patients to avoid unnecessary hospital stays.

Rengee Thomas, Senior Urgent Care Response Practitioner at LCHS, outlined the urgent community response initiative. It aims to support patients at home, reducing emergency service calls and unnecessary A&E visits.

This service effectively handles conditions like frailty and UTIs, focusing on patient needs.

"We're trying to keep patients at their home to minimise hospital admissions," Rengee explained.

"We try and see what is the best option and what is the best personnel, right person in the right place to support patients as best as we can."

Anticipated junior doctor industrial action may disrupt planned care this winter. Attached to Emergency Departments, Same Day Emergency Care Units offer innovative, immediate care.

These units provide prompt medical care, typically within the same day, allowing patients to return home sooner and thus reducing prolonged hospital stays.

Meanwhile, the enhancement of services by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) is another significant achievement this year.

Neil Scott from EMAS acknowledged the winter challenges and detailed over £20 million in additional funding for more vehicles and staff expansion.

"This winter, we're more prepared and more resourced than ever before, thanks to the recent investment we've been experiencing," said Neil.

His key message to residents is to use 111 for non-life-threatening incidents and reserve emergency services for critical situations.

He also highlighted the importance of community resilience and forward planning for patients, like ensuring repeat prescriptions are in order before bad weather or public holidays.

"We want to keep those ambulance crews and emergency departments clear for life-threatening emergencies, so that we can respond to people when they need it in that extreme emergency."

"Just under 50% of the incidents that we receive per day at East Midlands Ambulance Service are conveyed to an emergency department, the other half is dealt with through either telephone advice or onward referral to another agency."

Despite potential challenges, including junior doctor action, the NHS commits to accessible, efficient urgent care.

Rebecca Neno advised using emergency departments only for life-threatening conditions.

"We aim to keep people out of emergency departments unless absolutely necessary," she said.

"We respond to the demand really and learn from previous years in that development. So it could well be you're fit and healthy and you've got an acute respiratory infection, or a chest infection, and you need some additional support to stay well at home."

"Our emergency departments are there to deal with emergencies. Please continue to use our emergency departments if that is your situation," she advised.

For minor health concerns, alternatives like GP practices, community pharmacies, and the enhanced 111 service are recommended.