WITH blizzard conditions forecast over the coming days health chiefs are warning the public to make sure they take care of themselves and others.
The cold weather and snow often brings with it health risks. Snow is forecast for Warrington this weekend and throughout next week, which could result in some people being stuck at home; and NHS hospitals dealing with high numbers of people injured due to slips, trips and falls.
There are things people can do to make sure they are safe and ensure, if they need treatment, that they get the best possible. Plus, with proper care and consideration the pressure on hospital emergency departments, that inevitably gets worse at this time of year, can be lifted.
Mike Cheshire, NHS North West Medical Director said: “Each winter we see an increase in the number of people who have underlying health problems being admitted to hospital. They are particularly vulnerable to wintery conditions that the majority of us take for granted.
“We know that if temperatures fall below 12 degrees Celsius this increases the risk of respiratory problems and the number of people who have heart-attacks and strokes.
“We need older people and those who have long-term conditions to make sure they keep taking their medication and have sufficient supplies so that they don’t need to go out for more during the cold spell. We also need everyone to help our A&E and 999 teams by only using them for life-threatening and urgent conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, breathing problems and serious accidents.
“All agencies across the North West are pulling together and we’re trying to get the message out through all our networks that we need people to prepare for this new cold spell. Not only will they be protecting their own safety, welfare and health; they will be helping services to deal with local emergencies.”
NHS North West is spearheading the Choose Well campaign. The campaign aims to reduce the number of people who go to A&E or dial 999 with common complaints such as coughs, colds.
Anyone with a common complaint or non-life-threatening condition should contact their GP, dial NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 / NHS111 or go and see their local pharmacy for advice and help”
Most common aches, pains and winter illnesses will begin to clear up by themselves within a few days with some TLC and self-care essentials, so there really is no need to make a GP appointment, call 999 or go to A&E.
Some basic advice that everyone can use includes:
* Make sure your medicine cabinet is stocked up with common remedies and a first aid kit.
* use paracetamol if you have a temperature caused by coughs, cold and flu
* paracetamol can also be used for pain relief for complaints such as earache, stomach ache, sore throats, general aches and sprains
* get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids
* check on neighbours to make sure they are safe and well
* if you are clearing your path of ice and you have an elderly neighbour, clear theirs at the same time. You will be helping them stay safe if they have to go out for medication.
