FLU season is upon us and the Northern NSW local health network is working to take the pressure off hospital emergency departments.

Northern Rivers Area Health Service chief executive Chris Crawford said hospitals can experience “patient demand peaks” during the winter season.

Mr Crawford said with extra admissions to hospitals occurring it is important for the community to be aware that it may be necessary to transfer a chronically ill patient from one of the major hospitals to a smaller hospital during the latter stage of the patient’s treatment.

As it can take a few hours to discharge a patient, it is a normal winter procedure that a patient could be discharged earlier to the transit lounge to allow a critically ill patient earlier access to a hospital bed.

“The health service provides some hospital-avoidance services to help take some of the pressure off our hospitals and to provide patients with care in a familiar setting,” Mr Crawford said.

“These include ‘Hospital in the Home’ where Community Nurses visit patients in their own home, which has received positive feedback.

“There is also an Express Care Clinic available, where suitable chronically ill patients can be seen, so saving them a wait to be treated in a busy emergency department,” Mr Crawford said.

To stay healthy in winter the health network has advised residents to wash their hands, cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they sneeze and avoid close contact with sick people.

DID YOU KNOW?

Washing hands regularly with soap and water is the best way to avoid the flu.