At a recent event in Parliament, Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Scully became a ‘winter champion’, pledging to help the NHS reach out to people and help them stay well this winter.
Sutton Councillors Lily Bande, Elliot Colburn and Jed Dwight also made the pledge.
Winter champions is a campaign by the NHS to encourage people to get the most appropriate support for the health and care needs this winter, either by getting advice from their local pharmacist for minor health ailments, calling fully trained staff and clinicians on NHS 111 for immediate health concerns, or making an appointment with a GP in their area during their extended hours of 8am-8pm, 7-days-a-week.
Paul Scully MP, said: “I am pleased to take part in the NHS’ winter champions campaign to become a winter champion for Sutton. We all appreciate the hard work and dedication of our NHS staff, especially at winter.
“That is why I am pledging to do all I can to help the NHS keep residents in Sutton, Cheam and Worcester Park stay well this winter by getting the right help with their health.
“By going to a pharmacist, taking advantage of the 8am-8pm GP opening hours and calling NHS 111, you will be helping the NHS by staying out of A&E unnecessarily. This means you will be getting the right support for you quicker.”
Dr Jeffrey Croucher, Chair of Sutton Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are delighted that Paul Scully MP has become a winter champion for Sutton.
“By becoming a winter champion, Paul will be helping the NHS to help our patients this winter by encouraging people to seek the most appropriate advice for their health needs.
“If patients take advantage of seeking advice from their highly-trained local pharmacist for minor health needs, get an evening or weekend appointment with the GP rather than wait for Monday morning, or call NHS 111 to speak to our trained staff, their needs can be dealt with much quicker than having to go to A&E.”
