Have you a winter plan to stay well?

Date: 11 November 2019

Stay well

Local people are being urged to have a personal winter plan so they are prepared when they start to feel unwell with a cough, cold or flu.
 
Dr Kiren Collison, Clinical Lead at Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group said: "We’d like everyone in Oxfordshire to have a winter plan for themselves and their family so they know what they need to do to remain healthy.”

Kiren added: “Having a flu vaccination if you are eligible, washing your hands after being out and not missing your normal regular medications can help prevent illness. If you do fall ill, a well-stocked medicine cabinet and advice from your local pharmacist or NHS 111 can help. NHS 111 can now be accessed online via a mobile phone, tablet or laptop to get advice even quicker at NHS.111.UK.
 
"Obviously there will be times when people become seriously unwell and seeing a healthcare professional is the right thing to do. But by taking a few simple steps and putting together your winter plan you may help yourself to avoid admission to hospital."

Personal winter plans should include:
•        Having a free NHS flu vaccination if you are eligible
•        Getting help early before your condition worsens
•        Getting repeat  prescriptions in plenty of time before bank holidays
•        Finding out where your local minor injuries unit is located
•        Seeking advice from your local pharmacist
•        Having a well-stocked medicine cabinet
•        Stocking up on winter food supplies
•        Getting your boiler serviced
•        Keeping your home heated to 18C
•        Having a list of emergency phone numbers handy by your phone
•        Keeping an eye on elderly or frail friends, neighbours and relatives

For further advice and to watch a short video on how pharmacists can help you stay
well this winter visit: https://www.oxfordshireccg.nhs.uk/your-health/winter-response.htm

People can read the Public Health England leaflet ‘Keep Warm Keep Well’ which provides advice on staying well in cold weather and covers issues such as financial help, healthy lifestyle, flu jabs and heating: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keep-warm-keep-well-leaflet-gives-advice-on-staying-healthy-in-cold-weather

Notes to editors:

1. The local winter plan initiative is part of the national NHS 'Help Us Help You - Before it Gets Worse' campaign launched this week (11 November) to encourage people to get early and effective treatment and advice on how to manage a winter illness.   

2. A flu vaccine is available for free on the NHS for the following:

• People aged 65 years and over
• Patients aged from six months to 65 years in clinical ‘at risk’ groups (see below)
• Pregnant women
• Children in primary school and children aged 2 and 3 years old
• People in long-stay residential care homes
• Carers
• People in close contact with patients with impaired immune systems
• Social care and Hospice workers who provide direct patient care
• Health and social care staff, employed by a registered residential care/nursing home or registered home care provider

At risk conditions: 

The free flu vaccine is available to patients who have one of the following conditions:
o heart problem
o chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma
o kidney disease
o lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
o liver disease
o stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
o diabetes
o neurological condition e.g. multiple sclerosis
o morbid obesity (BMI over 40)
o cerebral palsy or a learning disability.

  • Summary:

    If you feel unwell visit a pharmacist before you get worse.

  • Transformation:
  • Date:
    11 November 2019