Your guide to Choose wellthis winter

@NHSSCheshireCCG

Choose well this winterA 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: - right treatment first time - reduce waiting time- Information and advice accessible 24/7• Cost:- some 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

Which service to access when

Self Care

On-line and NHS Direct

High Street Pharmacy

Your GP Practice

Urgent Care Centre,

Minor Injuries Unit

A&E, Emergency Department, 999

Which service to access when

Self Care

Best option for:

•Coughs, colds, sore-throats

•Upset stomachs

•General aches and pains

•Flu

Why?

•Cost and convenience

•Condition improves without medical help

•Cannot be treated with anti-biotics

Further information and advice

•NHS Choices www.nhs.uk

Which service to access when

Best option for:

•Checking symptoms

•Advice on self-care options

•Local service finder

•How long symptoms will last

•Interactive First Aid guide

Why?

•Access 24 hours a day, seven days a week

•Expert advice and information

Further information and advice

•NHS Direct 0845 46 47

•NHS Choices www.nhs.uk

NHS Choices and NHS Direct

Which service to access when

Best option for:

•Face-to-face advice and information

•Common winter health complaints

•Advice and support for on-going health complaints

•Healthy Living services

Why?

•Local high street expert

•Convenience

•No appointment needed

•Private consultation rooms available

•www.nhs.uk – service finder

High Street Pharmacy

Which service to access when

Did you Know?

Text ‘pharmacy’ to 64746 to receive three free texts detailing your nearest pharmacies

High Street Pharmacy

Which service to access when

Best option for:

•An illness or injury that won’t go away or is getting worse

•Concerns about mental health and sexual health

•Help with health life-style e.g. smoking cessation, weight-loss

•An out-of-hours service at weekends and evenings

Why?

•Experts on a range of health conditions

•Access to other local NHS services an prescriptions if needed

•On-going treatment and support for long term conditions

Your GP Practice

Which service to access when

Not registered with a GP?

Go to NHS Choices

www.nhs.uk to use the service finder to locate your nearest GP practice

or text ‘Doctor’ to 64746

Your GP Practice

Which service to access when

Best option for:Something that needs urgent attention but is not a life-threatening emergency eg: 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

Urgent Care Centre,

Minor Injuries Unit

Which service to access when

Urgent Care Centre

The Urgent Care Centre offers an alternative to A&E, and treats patients who have an injury or condition which is severe but not life-threatening, such as:• Wound Stitching• Sprains• Minor burns

We have an Urgent Care Centre at:

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLeighton HospitalMiddlewich RoadCreweCheshireCW1 4QJ

It can be accessed via the entrance for A&E. You do not need an appointment.

Which service to access when

Victoria Infirmary, Northwich (VIN)

Winnington Hill

Northwich

Cheshire

CW8 1AW

Tel: 01606 564000

• Minor Injury Units provide treatment for less serious injuries, such as cuts and grazes, minor burns, sprains and emergency contraception.

• Treated much quicker at a Minor Injury Unit than in A&E because A&E give priority to life-threatening conditions.

• No appointment needed.

Minor Injuries Unit

Which service to access when

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

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

ImportantALWAYS 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 hand 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