Now that the clocks have gone back and it really feels like winter is approaching, the NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has launched a campaign to help people stay well this winter.
The NHS is encouraging people to bookmark the Get in the Know this Winter web resource, so they can easily refer to it whenever they have a healthcare need. Getting to know more about local health services now, will also help people to get the right care more quickly when they do need health support.
Dr Gurnak Dosanjh, GP and clinical lead for urgent healthcare for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, said: “This is a good time to start thinking about getting ready for the winter months, and we have brought together all the information you will need to keep well and get healthcare over the autumn and winter period.
“Getting in the know about how to use NHS services is particularly important at this time of year when services are often much busier. We want to help people to get the right care, at the right time, in the right place, depending on their needs. By following the advice on how to access services, people will be taking the most direct route for them to receive appropriate care, as well as helping the NHS to meet everyone’s needs at the busiest times.”
Dr Raj Than, GP and clinical lead for long-term conditions with the LLR ICB, said: “Our campaign information will be helpful for everyone, but it also includes specific advice for people who are at increased risk when the weather turns colder, such as older people, pregnant women and those with long term health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart, lung or kidney disease. The cold weather can make some health conditions worse and increases the risk of raised blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. We want to make sure people have the information and support they need to manage their health as well as they can, throughout the winter.”
The LLR ICB gives the following general advice for anyone needing healthcare and the Get in the Know this Winter web resource gives further details of how to access all the local services.
- Consider whether you can treat the illness and injury yourself, or with support from NHS 111 online, the NHS App or a local pharmacy.
- Even when services are busy, if you need help, don’t delay coming forward for care.
- If it’s urgent, contact your GP practice, use NHS 111 or go to a local urgent care service.
- There are a wide range of services in your local community to support you with your mental health and wellbeing.
- The Emergency Department and 999 are for life-threatening emergencies only.
The campaign also gives advice on how to stay well over the winter, with information on who is eligible for vaccines against diseases which are more common in the autumn and winter months, such as flu, Covid-19 and the respiratory virus RSV, as well as vaccines for whooping cough and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella).
Advice is offered on prescription medication and, for anyone with asthma or other lung conditions which require an inhaler, there are tips on how to make sure you are using your inhaler in the most effective way.
Keeping warm is another important factor for good health over the winter and, with the current financial climate and cost of fuel bills, there is also guidance on how to find out about grants and support available through local councils.
Dr Gurnak Dosanjh added: “We know from patient surveys that people are generally really pleased with the healthcare they receive, but there are often difficulties in accessing that care initially. We hope that our campaign will help people find their way around our local healthcare services and support them to stay well over the winter.”