GP urges local communities to “think ahead” for Christmas

The NHS in the North West is urging people to plan ahead to keep themselves and their families healthy over the festive period.

Those who require repeat prescriptions are asked to ensure they have adequate supply especially ahead of the extended four-day Christmas bank holiday weekend.

In addition, by carrying out some home checks including restocking basic medicine cabinet essentials, the public can help limit the pressure on all NHS services like ambulances, hospitals and GPs.

People are also urged to closely follow the COVID-19 restrictions for their area to help limit the spread of the virus at what is always a busy time. Anyone with coronavirus symptoms must arrange to be tested and should stay at home.

If you do need medical attention over the Christmas holiday, you can access NHS services in a range of ways:

• Call your usual GP surgery number to be put through to the out of hours GP service available over Christmas or contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111 for advice.
• In most cases, lists of local NHS services open over the Christmas holidays, including pharmacies and GP surgeries, are available on your local council website.

-        Pharmacists can also help with many health conditions, such as coughs, colds, asthma, upset stomach, eczema, hay fever and period pain. They can give advice or, where appropriate, medicines that can help clear up the problem.

-        Search nhs.uk for advice about treatment without visiting a GP or making a phone call

If you need help for an urgent – but not serious or life-threatening – medical condition, you should contact NHS 111 first before going to an emergency department.  Doing this ensures you get the right care in the right place, which could be self-care or through an appointment with a GP, or by going to a pharmacist or Urgent Treatment Centre. 

If you need to go to hospital, NHS 111 can book you a timed slot at an Emergency Department or Urgent Treatment Centre, or another suitable centre, shortening the time you wait. Contacting NHS 111 in advance means we can keep everyone waiting in an Emergency Department safe. 

North West GP Dr Sangeetha Steevart said:

“Taking simple steps to think ahead and prepare for the long Christmas weekend will help keep yourself and your loved ones healthy and safe. This has been an extraordinary year for us all and although there is now a Covid-19 vaccine being rolled out, our hospitals are still looking after a lot of Covid patients.

“By making sure you have the right medicines at home, and by using the NHS sensibly, you can help us make sure we are always there for those with the most severe illnesses or injuries.

“No-one wants to end up having to see a doctor at Christmas, so I urge everyone to plan ahead so minor illness at home doesn’t become more serious and also to please follow all the latest coronavirus restrictions for their area.”

Winter check list

• Check your home medicines cabinet – is everything in date? Restock with essentials including cold remedies, pain killers, indigestion tablets and diarrhoea and constipation remedies
• Make sure you have a well-prepared first aid kit to help treat minor cuts, sprains and bruises, and reduce the risk of cuts becoming infected. It should contain bandages, plasters, larger sterile dressings, a thermometer, antiseptic wipes or solution, eyewash solution, medical tape and tweezers.
• Keep up to date with any repeat prescriptions you or your family or friends need
• If you or someone you look after is in an at-risk group – don’t forget to book a flu vaccination
• Look out for any vulnerable family or friends – is there anything you can do to help them?
• Wear appropriate shoes when outside especially during icy weather. We typically see an increase in slips and trips during colder spells
• Heat homes to at least 18C (65F). You might prefer your main living room to be slightly warmer
• Keep your bedroom at 18C all night if you can – and reduce drafts – if you’re under 65, healthy and active, you can safely have your home cooler than 18C, as long as you’re comfortable
• Keep active when you’re indoors. Try not to sit still for more than an hour or so
• Wear several layers of light clothes. They trap warm air better than one bulky layer
• You should only call 999 in the event of a life-threatening or serious emergency