Health tips to get through the winter

GP Dr Thilan Bartholomeuz, clinical chairman of Newark and Sherwood Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has offered his top tips on how people can support the NHS this winter.

Don’t delay, get your flu jab today.

No one wants to spend Christmas and New Year suffering with aches, pains and all the other nasty symptoms that flu brings. See your GP or pharmacist to arrange a flu jab to protect yourself and your family this Christmas.

Those at most risk of complications from flu are:

• People aged 65 and over
• Pregnant women
• Children aged two and three
• People living with certain long-term conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and heart disease.

Keep your medicine cabinet well-stocked.

I recommend that as a minimum you should have the following items in your medicine cabinet to get through the winter:

• Cold and flu remedies — capsules or drinks, whatever you prefer.
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief
• Cough syrup
• Nasal decongestant
• Antiseptic throat spray
• Oral rehydration tablets

People with a long-term condition should check stocks of regular medications and ensure now that there is enough to get through to the New Year.

Those with young children should make sure they have medication suitable for their age.

Take care of each other.

Do you have an elderly neighbour or relative who lives nearby? Winter is especially tough on older residents. A kind word, an offer of help or a warm meal might be all it takes to make someone’s life easier during the season of goodwill.

Choose the right NHS service.

The CCG commissions a number of services for local people, so it is important to know which service is right for you. The first port of call for minor illnesses and injuries should be a pharmacist.

See your GP when it’s convenient for you.

By the end of the year, many practices in Newark and Sherwood will be offering appointments up to 8pm during the week and on Saturday mornings.

Residents will be among the first in the country to benefit from this national scheme.

The appointments will all be pre-bookable and some will provide on-the-day slots for urgent cases. If your surgery provides this service, you can book appointments in the usual way.

The appointment will be at a local ‘hub’ practice in the area.

Newark Hospital — share your views.

You might have read the recent news about proposed changes to Newark Hospital. It is set to be home to one of the first of the country’s new Urgent Treatment Centres, a 24-hour, GP–led service, and will continue to treat people for minor illnesses and injuries.

Before any changes are made, we will be engaging with residents to hear their views.

Look out for details of upcoming engagement events in the New Year.