Keeping healthy this winter!

Winter can be tough on our health, but with a little planning and the right support, you can stay well through the colder months. From flu and Covid-19 vaccinations to tips for managing common winter bugs, looking after your mental health, and making the most of local pharmacy services, this blog has you covered.

Let’s explore some simple ways NHS services can help you keep yourself and your loved ones healthy this winter.

Join our Winter Health Carers Connect Special on December 12th - RSVP in advance or just turn up. This session is blended, but we'll have refreshments at the Centre so would love you see you in person if you can make it in. If you need the link to join online, we'll send this to you when you RSVP. Find out more and RSVP here.

Useful information

About the NHS App.

For information about how to download and set-up the NHS App visit here.

Did you know the NHS app can be used to:

• Order repeat prescriptions and choose a pharmacy where you would like to collect them

• Book and manage appointments

• Get your health records and NHS number - view your GP health record to see information about allergies and medicines. If your GP has given you access to your detailed medical record, you can see information including test results. You can also view your NHS number

• Vaccinations - book and manage Covid-19 vaccinations

• Organ donation registration - register your organ donation decision

• Make choices about your data - choose how the NHS uses your data

• Accessing other NHS services - use NHS 111 online to answer questions and get instant advice or medical help near you

Getting started with the NHS App click here.

Still having trouble using the app? Call Sutton Digital Coordinator, Tanuja on 020 3922 1554 (Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 2pm) for advice and support.

Vaccines

Covid 19 vaccine

The Covid-19 vaccine helps protect against Covid-19, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness.

Getting the Covid-19 vaccine can help reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms, help you recover more quickly if you catch Covid-19, help reduce your risk of having to go to hospital or dying from Covid-19 and protect against different types of Covid-19 virus.

The Covid-19 vaccine is recommended for people at increased risk from Covid-19. You may be offered free a Covid-19 vaccine if you:

·       are aged 65 or over

·       are pregnant

·       are aged 6 months to 64 years and have an increased risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19 because of a health condition or treatment

·       live in a care home for older adults

If you're eligible for the Covid 19 vaccine, you can: book online here; or in the NHS App; visit a walk-in Covid vaccination site or call 119 to book an appointment.

Flu vaccine

The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

This year those eligible for a free flu vaccine include:

• are 65 and over

• have certain health conditions

• are pregnant

• are in long-stay residential care

• receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick

• live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system.

If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can: book a flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy here: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/book-flu-vaccination/  or in the NHS App (if you're aged 18 or over), find a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you're aged 18 or over) or contact your GP surgery to book an appointment.

Children's flu vaccines

Children are more likely to catch and spread winter viruses like flu. Vaccinating them also helps protect others who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies and older people.

The flu vaccine will stop your child getting very ill with flu and speed recovery, it will help protect your child against serious complications including bronchitis and pneumonia.

School-aged children can get their flu vaccine through school or community venues. Those aged 2-3 years old (on 31 August 2024) and in clinical risk groups can get the flu vaccine at their GP surgery. School -aged children (from reception to Year 11) will mainly be offered their flu vaccinations at school.

For most children the vaccine is a nasal spray, not an injection. It is quick and painless.

Most children have the nasal spray vaccine, which has been used for many years and has an excellent safety record. Over 30 million doses have been given in the UK since 2013.

Some children have mild side effects including a blocked or runny nose, feeling tired or a headache. More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare. The person who vaccinates your child will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.

You cannot get flu from any of the flu vaccines.

A vaccine injection is available which does not contain gelatine from pigs (porcine gelatine).

Help from your local pharmacy

You can visit your local pharmacist for quick health advice.

Did you know?:

• Your local pharmacist offers a wide range of services such as expert help with blood pressure checks for the over 40s.

• Pharmacies provide services such as flu & Covid-19 vaccinations to eligible groups.

• Pharmacists can help with lots of common conditions and minor illnesses. This can include colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.

• Pharmacies often offer extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends, and there is no need to book an appointment – just walk in

• Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.

• All pharmacists train for at least 5 years in the use of medicines GPs can refer you to see a pharmacist for a range of common conditions.

• They can also give advice about medicines. This includes how to use your medicine, worries about side effects or any other questions you have.

• Pharmacists know when to refer you to another health care professional or doctor if you need to see one.

  
  

Reminder – Check that you have enough of your regular prescription medicines to cover you over the Christmas and New Year. You can pop in and discuss with your pharmacy when you will need to order by and what can be done in the event of you running out.

Pharmacy First

Did you know you can get treatment for seven key conditions directly from your local pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription?

The services included in Pharmacy First are:

• Earache (1 to 17 years) - symptoms include a dull, sharp or aching pain inside the ear.

• Sore throat (5 years and over) - symptoms include a painful, dry or scratchy throat.

• Sinusitis (12 years and over ) - symptoms include pain, swelling and tenderness around cheeks, eyes or forehead and a blocked or runny nose.

• Impetigo (1 year and over) - symptoms include red sores or blisters which commonly affect the face and hands.

• Shingles (18 years and over) - symptoms include a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin and a headache followed by a painful rash.

• Infected insect bite (1 year and over) - symptoms include pain where bitten or stung and a small swollen lump in the skin.

• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women 16-64 years) - symptoms include pain or burning sensations when peeing and needing to pee more often.

Find you nearest pharmacy here.

Healthy recipes

Maintaining a healthy diet doesn't always seem an easy task on a budget, but the NHS has put together a selection of recipes to ensure you're sticking to a budget and getting a tasty range of nutrients on the table.

Click here for a great selection of quick and healthy options.

Mental Health Support

If you or someone you know needs help with their mental health, trusted professionals are available 24 hours a day, every day, to provide confidential advice on the support available. Please view some of the support available below:

Non-urgent – I need mental health support

Your GP - Contact your GP for mental health advice and guidance, including make a referral.

Talking Therapies - Self-refer to Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression.

NHS Every Mind Matters - Find tips, guides, tools and activities to support and improve your mental health.

NHS website - Find information and support for your mental health

Urgent – I need mental health support now

Your care team - Contact the team providing your care if you are a patient with South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.

24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line - Call 0800 028 8000 or 111 and select the mental health option. You can call for yourself or someone else.

CAMHS Crisis Line - If you’re a child, young person, or a parent/carer worried about a young person’s mental health, call 0203 228 5980. The line is open every day from 9am to 11pm.

Recovery Cafés - Visit a Recovery Café who can help adults (18 years+) with mental health issues

Crisis tools - Find practical tools to help yourself cope in a crisis on the Mind website.

Emergency

Call 999 or go to A&E if someone’s life is at risk - for example they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose, or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe.

Click here for more information.

Aged 11 – 22?

If you are 11-22 years old and are feeling anxious or low, you can speak to someone online for support 24/7. Kooth is a free online support service which covers all of south west London. Find out more at: www.kooth.com