Polling data from earlier this year showed that people rank the NHS highest in terms of what makes them most proud to be British. Higher than our history, our culture or our system of democracy.
But we know the NHS is under extreme pressure and that every year winter puts more pressure on our doctors and nurses, which is why it is up to all of us to do our bit to protect this much-loved national service.
In a recent report to Brent Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board details of how the system is preparing were shared, including specific approaches to consider under-represented groups such as housebound residents, asylum seekers and the homeless, and those groups where health inequalities exist.
Some of the main issues outlined include ensuring our most vulnerable residents are protected against flu and COVID by encouraging uptake of vaccinations; preventing hospital admissions and supporting patients to leave hospital as soon as they are able to; communicating where residents should go for the right support; and working with care homes to make sure residents have anticipatory care plans in place.
Cllr Neil Nerva, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care at Brent Council, said: “Thanks to the work of Brent Integrated Care Partnership, local health and care services have never worked more closely together.
“Brent residents have a huge part to play in ensuring the NHS can manage. Whether it is getting your flu or Covid jab or ensuring emergency services are only used for life-threatening situations, we can all contribute.”
