SOUTH Australia Health has highlighted the role of community pharmacy and GPs in easing hospital demand during the winter peak, with a statement issued yesterday saying "it is important that you use your general practitioner or pharmacist for minor illnesses, like a cough or cold."
SA Health deputy chief executive Don Frater said that a number of strategies had been prepared to ease pressure on metropolitan hospitals, and the focus on first consulting with accessible health practitioners including pharmacists was key among these strategies.
"This week we have had some of the busiest days our hospitals have experienced so far this year," he said in SA Health's Winter Plan.
"As a result we are enacting our winter demand management plan to free up as many beds in our hospitals as possible to manage this demand," Frater said.
Measures include postponing a number of non-urgent elective surgeries, with Frater thanking health professionals stretched due to the increased demand.
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