Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (BaNES CCG) has issued advice on staying well during the winter months, and where to go for help if you do become unwell.
The advice echoes the NHS-wide Stay Well This Winter campaign, a joint initiative between NHS England and Public Health England to help people with long-term conditions, their carers and those over 65 years old prepare for winter and ward-off common winter illnesses.
The CCG is encouraging members of the public to take the following simple steps to keep themselves well over winter:
- Have a flu vaccination: If you are pregnant, over 65 years old or have a long-term condition such as diabetes or heart disease, you are entitled to a free flu vaccination. Children aged 2-7 years old are also eligible for the free nasal spray vaccination.
- Keep warm: Keep your home heated to at least 18°C (65°F) if you can. This will help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and pneumonia.
- Be prepared: Get advice from your local pharmacy at the first sign of a cough or cold, and stock up on any medicines you or your family need for the winter and order your repeat prescriptions in good time before holiday closures.
Having the free flu vaccination if you are eligible is one of the best ways you can help yourself stay well.
So far this winter season, just over half of people in B&NES aged 65 years and over have had the flu jab, as have roughly a third of people with long-term conditions, pregnant women and children in the target age groups.
Flu can lead to serious complications so don’t delay, if you are eligible, book in with your GP or a pharmacist today.
Dr Ruth Grabham, the CCG’s Medical Director and a GP at Newbridge Surgery in Bath, said: “Winter is always a challenging time for health services because of the increase in flu, norovirus, and respiratory illnesses, which can lead to frail and vulnerable people getting sicker.
“This can also lead to more people attending hospital, which could be avoided by people taking a few simple steps to keep well and using the most appropriate service when they do get ill.”
If you do need medical assistance over the winter period, make sure you know where to go:
- Call 111: If you need medical help fast, but it’s not life threatening or you’re not sure where to go, a 111 adviser will assess you and direct you to the best placed service in your area. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
- Get early advice from your pharmacist: Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare experts and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses. Your pharmacist will tell you if you need further medical attention.
- Book an appointment with your GP: GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. If you have a minor illness or injury (infection, vomiting, stomach ache) that can’t wait until your GP surgery is open, then call 111.
- A&E is for emergencies only: A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding.
Detailed information about services has also been distributed via GPs, pharmacies and other community outlets and is also available online at www.nhs.uk/staywell.
