As winter approaches, it’s essential to be prepared for the unique health challenges the season brings.
Taking action before illness strikes can ensure well-being during the colder months.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate winter healthily and confidently:
Plan for the Christmas Holidays
Ensure you have sufficient supplies of regular medications during the festive season. Use the NHS App to request repeat prescriptions online, allowing time for processing and avoiding last-minute hassles. Avoid running out of essential medications by ordering repeat prescriptions ahead of time. The NHS App facilitates easy online requests, ensuring continuous access to necessary treatments.
Be Prepared: Help may be a long time coming due to winter overload of the NHS
In emergencies, immediate action can save lives.
Brush up on your first-aid skills by watching the free first-aid courses available online from St John Ambulance or The Red Cross.
Help may not be coming as soon as you’d expect.
Embrace Self-Sufficiency with Symptom Checkers
Utilise quality-assured symptom checkers to assess health concerns from home. These tools provide organized lists of potential issues, helping you to work out what to ask your GP about when you see them.
Opt for “Pharmacy First” for Common Illnesses
Pharmacists can offer expert advice and over-the-counter remedies, often eliminating the need for a GP visit.
Monitor Health with an Oximeter and Thermometer
For common winter illnesses like colds, flu, COVID-19, and RSV, keep a pulse oximeter and a reliable thermometer at home to monitor vital signs, especially if you’re at higher risk for severe illness. These devices help track oxygen levels and body temperature, aiding in early detection of potential health issues.
Giving these readings over the phone to a doctor or nurse will ensure they can give you the best advice and decide whether to send you to the hospital or not, with a better idea of how ill you may be. Providing a doctor or nurse over the phone can make sure you get the treatment you need.
