Local health and care leaders are encouraging all residents to stay healthier this winter and help NHS services during the busiest time.
NHS South Yorkshire has developed a “Be Winter Well” guide to help residents across the region to stay well throughout the winter months.
The “Be winter Well” resources ensures that people can access a wide range of information on the availability of health and care services across South Yorkshire and offers simple tips to stay well, providing advice on how to treat minor winter ailments at home, including information and guidance on winter vaccines: flu, COVID-19, RSV and other vaccines such as pneumococcal and shingles, preventing respiratory infections, keeping warm and managing winter illness.
This helpful guide includes a range of information on which services are available over the festive period. From one central page, users can access information including pharmacy and GP opening times, NHS 111, details on how to access mental health support and other health and care services available across the region.
Dr David Crichton, Chief Medical Officer at NHS South Yorkshire said “As we enter winter and approach the festive period, it is important that everyone is familiar with the wide range of NHS services that are available to them. If you are unwell, you can access healthcare advice in many ways. It’s important to go for the right care in the right place whether that be seeking advice, contacting your pharmacist or seeking help via NHS 111 online”.
In addition, the winter campaign promotes some of the essential ways residents can stay healthy, warm and well this winter, including;
- Getting their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if eligible
- Keeping themselves well this winter by staying warm, keeping active, and keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet so they are prepared for common winter illnesses
- Encouraging use of the NHS 111 service, community pharmacies, Minor Injuries Units, and GP practice services instead of going to A&E
- Local pharmacy opening times over Christmas and New Year
- Supporting people to look after their mental wellbeing
People can find all the information they need by visiting here.