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Keep well in winter

Cold weather is much more dangerous than many people realise. Around 20,000 people die each year in England and Wales as a result of the cold. The elderly, people living on their own and anyone with a heart or chest condition are more vulnerable.

• Stay warm when it’s cold outside – lots of thin layers work better than one thick one.
• Check on people living on their own, especially elderly relatives and neighbours.
• Eat well – hot food and drinks will help keep you well.

Stock up – with food and basic medicines such as paracetamol and flu and diarrhoea remedies so you can look after yourself if you can’t get out for a day or two.

Get a free flu jab

If you are pregnant, over 65, a carer or have a long-term health problem, you can get a free vaccination from your GP and be protected from flu this winter.

Visiting relatives in hospital?

Bugs such as norovirus (the winter vomiting bug) can be a problem at this time of year. If you’re visiting someone in hospital please help to stop infection spreading. That means using alcohol rub to clean your hands and following the “Catch it. Bin it. Kill it.” advice if you have a cold. And not visiting at all if you have flu or a tummy bug.

Injured or feeling ill?

If you’ve been injured or are feeling ill, it’s important to ‘choose well’ to get fast, effective treatment. 

NHS services are often at their busiest over the winter, so it’s especially important to leave emergency services to those who need them most.

A quick guide to choosing well

Self-care is the first choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries. A lot of illnesses can be treated in your home with medicine bought at your local pharmacy and plenty of rest.  

NHS Direct offers confidential health advice and information by telephone, on the internet and through digital TV, 24 hours a day. They can also help you to find local health services.

• Call 0845 4647
• Visit www.nhs.uk (This link will open in a new window)

Pharmacists can give you advice on illnesses and the medicines you need to treat them. Visit your local pharmacy if you’re suffering from a common health problem which does not require being seen by a nurse or doctor. Pharmacy bank holiday opening times are regularly published on www.surreyhealth.nhs.uk (This link will open in a new window)

GPs can provide many services, including medical advice, examinations, vaccinations and prescriptions. Normally you need to book an appointment in advance. When your surgery is closed you can ring Thamesdoc on 0300 130 1305 to get advice from a clinician.

NHS Walk-in Centre, Urgent Treatment Centre or Minor Injuries Unit

They can all treat minor illnesses and injuries and give you health advice. Most are open from early in the morning until late at night. You do not need an appointment, and you will be seen by an experienced nurse or a GP.

In Surrey, these services are available at:

• Ashford Hospital Walk-in Centre
• Caterham Dene Walk-in Centre
• Haslemere Hospital Minor Injuries Unit
• Walton Hospital Walk-in Centre
• Woking Hospital Walk-in Centre.

A&E or 999

There are Accident and Emergency departments at most major hospitals. They help people who show signs of being very ill or are badly injured. Emergency services are always very busy and especially over winter. They should only be used in very serious or life-threatening situations.

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