Your guide to Choose wellthis winter

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: get the right treatment first time reduce waitinginformation and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a weekCost:some basic low cost essentials for your medicine cabinetAccess to emergency services when you need them:less delaysNHS teams have more time

Most common winter complaintsCoughs and colds

Sore throats

Flu

Norovirus

General aches and pains

So which service when?Self CareOn-line and NHS DirectHigh Street PharmacyYour GP PracticeUrgent Care Centre, Walk-in-Centre, Minor Injuries UnitA&E, Emergency Department, 999

So which service when?Self CareBest option for common complaints such as:Coughs, colds, sore-throatsUpset stomachsGeneral aches and painsFluWhy?Cost and convenienceWill get better themselves without medical helpCant be treated with anti-bioticsInformation and adviceNHS Winter Health leafletNHS Choices www.nhs.uk

So which service when?Best option for:Checking symptoms (not just common winter complaints)Advice on self-care optionsLocal service finderHow long symptoms will lastInteractive First Aid guideWhy?Access 24 hours a day, seven days a weekExpert advice and information

NHS Direct 0845 46 47NHS Choices www.nhs.uk NHS Choices and NHS Direct

So which service when?Best option for:Face-to-face advice and informationCommon winter health complaintsAdvice and support for on-going health complaintsHealthy Living servicesWhy?Local high street expertConvenienceNo appointment neededPrivate consultation rooms availableText pharmacy to 64746 to receive three free texts with details of your nearest pharmacieswww.nhs.uk service finderHigh Street Pharmacy

So which service when?Best option for:An illness or injury that wont go away or is getting worseConcerns about mental health and sexual healthHelp with health life-style e.g. smoking cessation, weight-lossAn out-of-hours service at weekends and eveningsWhy?Experts on a range of health conditionsAccess to other local NHS services an prescriptions if neededOn-going treatment and support for long term conditionsNot registered with a GP?Go to NHS Choices www.nhs.uk and use the service finder to find your nearest GP practice or text Doctor to 64746Your GP Practice

So which service when?Best option for:Something that needs urgent attention but isnt a life-threatening emergency e.g 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 varyNo appointment neededAccess to services such as X-Rays and stitchesCan prescribe and refer you to other services if neededGo to NHS Choices www.nhs.uk and use the service finder to find your service or text Walk to 64746Urgent Care Centre, Walk-in-Centre, Minor Injuries Unit

So which service when?Best option for:Life-threatening and serious emergencies, such as:

serious accidentsserious burnsbreathing problemsheart-attacksstrokesWhy?No appointment needed but may wait for up to four hoursAccess to trauma and major trauma services Can prescribe and refer you to other services if needed

A&E, Emergency Department, 999

Your Local Services[Use this slide to highlight specific local services delete bands if appropriate]

Some medicine cabinet essentials for this winterHoney and lemon for sore throats and coughsParacetamol and ibuprofen pain-relief and to bring down temperatureThermometer 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 degreesRe-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

Other advice and support www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories

Are you a carer? www.rallyroundme.com