Brighton and Hove health chief tells MPs and peers about winter pressures

A doctor from Brighton and Hove has shared information about a local campaign with MPs and peers.

Christa Beesley, the chief clinical officer at the Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), gave evidence about the “We Could Be Heroes” campaign over the past winter.

Dr Beesley was speaking to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Primary Care and Public Health about pressures on the NHS during the winter months.

She was joined by representatives from NHS England, the British Medical Association and Pharmacy Voice.

The CCG campaign urged people to be “heroes” and not to go to A&E (accident and emergency) at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton unless it was vital.

Dr Beesley answered questions about how health services and other organisations could do more, across the country, to promote self-care.

This entails people treating minor injuries and illnesses at home or with the help of a pharmacist.

It also involves directing people to the right place when they need help – even if it means turning them away from A&E.

She said: “We really welcomed the opportunity to talk about the pressures that all areas have during the winter and how we, other organisations and the government, can work together and share ideas.

“We all know that winter is a difficult time for an already under pressure health service.

“What we want to do is make sure, across the country, we are doing the very best we can for patients and the public.”