Extra funding for Western Isles Health Board
The Western Isle Health Board has been given an additional £12,577 funding to help manage winter pressures and reduce the amount of time people have to spend in hospital.
This comes as the health service faces increased pressure in the winter due to norovirus, falls and fractures and increased respiratory illness – issues which affect patients as well as staff.
Across Scotland an additional £3 million will be spent on extra, out of hours senior medical cover and at home support services to make sure that people can be discharged from hospital as soon as they are ready.
Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “We know that health services face added pressure in the winter months and NHS Boards have to be ready to manage potential increases in demand.
“Our health service reviews its performance each winter, with planning underway before most people have even had a chance to think about their summer holidays.
“But however much we plan there are still extra measures that can be put in place to make sure the winter runs smoothly.”
He added: “This funding supports NHS boards to further reduce lengths of stay in hospital – helping patients get back to their homes, as soon as they are ready. This will benefit the patient and help make the most effective use of resources.
“These measures are over and above what NHS boards have already put in place, and will make sure that our NHS is fighting fit for winter.”
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Weather for Stornoway
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 31 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 35 mph
Wind direction: North
