There’s a lot you can do to help you and your loved ones stay well over the winter months from making sure you get your flu jab if you are eligible and keeping your house warm (at least 18 degrees Celsius) to making sure you have enough medicines in your medicine cabinet should you fall ill. Please help us to help you by following the below advice.
In a medical emergency when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk please always call 999.
Minor illnesses – self-care
You can manage coughs, colds and other minor illnesses with medicines. A range of common winter illnesses and injuries get better on their own and can be treated at home simply by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest and time. Make sure your medicine cabinet is well stocked this winter to help tackle things like coughs and colds.
Flu and Covid vaccines
It is vital people who are eligible come forward for their flu and Covid-19 vaccines this winter. Vaccines offer the best possible protection against serious illness, and getting vaccinated not only protects you, but helps protect your friends and family too.
RSV and pneumococcal vaccines
The NHS also recommends the RSV vaccine to pregnant women and older adults, as well as the pneumococcal vaccine to over 65s, to help protect against serious illnesses that are more common in the winter, like pneumonia.
Injuries and allergies – pharmacy
Your local pharmacy should always be your first choice for help, advice and treatment for common conditions. If you or your family become unwell, you may not always need to see a doctor or get a prescription. Local pharmacies offer many of the same services local GPs do. Christmas and New Year pharmacy opening times can be accessed here.
Symptoms that aren’t going away – GP practice
Contact your General Practice team about symptoms that aren’t going away. They can offer telephone, online, or face-to-face appointments with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional depending on what your health concern is.
Remember your GP is open on weekdays and if you need help out of hours then visit NHS111 or telephone 111.
To find your nearest GP to register with please visit – https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp
Need help fast, but it’s not an emergency – NHS 111
NHS 111 is a free phone number which should be used if your condition or illness is not life threatening. The 111 telephone service will advise which NHS services are open nearest to you that will be able to help you with your problem.
The service is open 24 hours a day, on weekends, bank holidays and during holiday periods. NHS 111 online is a fast and convenient alternative to the NHS 111 phone service and provides an option for people who want to access NHS 111 digitally.
Urgent help for mental health
If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact your local crisis service in South Yorkshire by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option.
You can call for yourself, or someone else. NHS111 is for all ages, including children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental needs.
Support for Young People
Our South Yorkshire Healthier Together website has information about health services available for people aged 18-25, including information about urgent care services, sexual health services and mental health support.
Find out more here: Urgent and emergency care services for 18 – 25 year olds :: Healthier Together (sybhealthiertogether.nhs.uk)
Further information and advice can be accessed via the ICB's 'Be Winter Well' page.