Your guide to Choose well this winter Choose

Your guide to Choose well this winter

Choose well this winter A national NHS information and education campaign Advice and guidance on common winter complaints The most convenient and effective care for you and your family Help the NHS

Why is this important to NHS? Impact of cold weather on vulnerable people Free up time of nurses and doctors Reduce pressure on already busy A&E, emergency and 999 teams Reduce pressure on GP and other teams who support vulnerable people

Why is this important to you? • • • - Convenience: get the right treatment first time reduce waiting information and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week Cost: some basic low cost essentials for your medicine cabinet Access to emergency services when you need them: less delays NHS teams have more time

Most common winter complaints • Coughs and colds • Sore throats • Flu • Norovirus • General aches and pains

So which service when? Self Care On-line and NHS Direct High Street Pharmacy Your GP Practice Urgent Care Centre, Walk-in-Centre, Minor Injuries Unit A&E, Emergency Department, 999

So which service when? Self Care Best option for common complaints such as: Why? • Coughs, colds, sore-throats • Upset stomachs • Will get better themselves without medical help • General aches and pains • Can’t be treated with anti-biotics • Flu Information and advice • Cost and convenience • NHS Winter Health leaflet • NHS Choices www. nhs. uk

So which service when? NHS Choices and NHS Direct Best option for: Why? • Checking symptoms (not just common winter complaints) • Access 24 hours a day, seven days a week • Advice on self-care options • Expert advice and information • Local service finder • How long symptoms will last • NHS Direct 0845 46 47 • Interactive First Aid guide • NHS Choices www. nhs. uk

So which service when? High Street Pharmacy Best option for: Why? • Face-to-face advice and information • Local high street expert • Common winter health complaints • Advice and support for on-going health complaints • Healthy Living services • Convenience • No appointment needed • Private consultation rooms available • Text ‘pharmacy’ to 64746 to receive three free texts with details of your nearest pharmacies • www. nhs. uk – service finder

So which service when? Your GP Practice Best option for: Why? • An illness or injury that won’t go away or is getting worse • Experts on a range of health conditions • Concerns about mental health and sexual health • Access to other local NHS services an prescriptions if needed • Help with health life-style e. g. smoking cessation, weight-loss • On-going treatment and support for long term conditions • An out-of-hours service at weekends and evenings Not registered with a GP? • Go to NHS Choices www. nhs. uk – and use the service finder to find your nearest GP practice or text ‘Doctor’ to 64746

So which service when? Urgent Care Centre, Walk-in-Centre, Minor Injuries Unit Best option for: Something that needs urgent attention but isn’t a lifethreatening emergency e. g infections, rashes, fractures and lacerations, emergency contraception and advice, stomach upsets, cuts, bruises, burns and strains Why? • Open seven days a week, although opening hours vary • No appointment needed • Access to services such as X-Rays and stitches • Can prescribe and refer you to other services if needed • Go to NHS Choices www. nhs. uk – and use the service finder to find your service or text ‘Walk’ to 64746

So which service when? A&E, Emergency Department, 999 Best option for: Life-threatening and serious emergencies, such as: • serious accidents • serious burns • breathing problems • heart-attacks • strokes Why? • No appointment needed but may wait for up to four hours • Access to trauma and major trauma services • Can prescribe and refer you to other services if needed

Your Local Services [Use this slide to highlight specific local services – delete bands if appropriate] Self Care On-line and NHS Direct High Street Pharmacy Your GP Practice Urgent Care Centre, Walk-in-Centre, Minor Injuries Unit A&E, Emergency Department, 999

Some medicine cabinet essentials for this winter • Honey and lemon – for sore throats and coughs • Paracetamol and ibuprofen – pain-relief and to bring down temperature • Thermometer – normal temperature for an adult is 37 degrees Celsius; a fever in an adult is 38 degrees and above and children over five 37. 5 degrees • Re-hydration mixtures and indigestion remedies – to help with an upset stomach Important ALWAYS read instructions for any medicine NEVER take more than the recommended dose TALK to your high-street pharmacist if you need advice CALL your GP if symptoms suddenly get worse or condition suddenly deteriorates Remember antibiotics will not cure a cold, flu or upset stomach

Prevention is better than cure! • Good respiratory and hygiene prevents the spread of germs • Clean hard surfaces • Restrict visits to vulnerable friends, neighbours and relatives until you have been symptom free for at least three days • Have the flu jab if you are a carer or in an at risk groups

Other advice and support • www. nhs. uk/servicedirectories • Are you a carer? www. rallyroundme. com