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The cold weather is starting to bite this week, so you may wish to take note of some of the details below to help you to take good care this winter.

 

ASK A PHARMACIST

 

PHARMACY

 

Services at pharmacies include:

 

• Dispensing prescriptions and selling medicines only legally available from a pharmacy
• Expert confidential advice on treating many health problems
• Help in choosing the right over-the-counter medicine
• Advice about the correct use of medicines
• Advice if you are unsure whether you need to see your GP
• Collection of repeat prescriptions from your doctor’s surgery and delivery of medicines to your home
• Emergency contraception (‘morning-after’ pill) from some pharmacies
• Help in an emergency if  you are unable to contact your GP and need prescription medication
• Extended opening hours.

 

CALL NHS DIRECT

 

Confidential nurse-led telephone helpline available 24hrs, every day of the year. The service includes: 

 

• Experienced nurses who can recommend the best course of action if you are anxious about ill health
• Health information advisers who have details on a wide range of topics including the opening hours of local pharmacies and GP surgeries and how to get treatment for toothache
• If necessary your call will be passed automatically to the999 services
• Language line-a confidential telephone interpreting service

 

Calls to NHS direct are charged at local rate and for patients safety all calls are recorded. 

 

• NHS Direct: 0845 46 47
• Text phone: 0845 606 46 47

  

NHS Online 

 

You can also get health information on the internet by visiting NHS Direct Online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

 

WALK IN CENTRE 

 

Dudley Walk-in centre for minor illnesses and injuries that do not need hospital treatment are at:

 

Dudley Borough Walk-in centre, Holly Hall Clinic, Stourbridge Road, Dudley DY1 2ER. Open 8am-8pm, seven days a week, including Christmas and New Year. Telephone: 0330 1239225. 

 

No appointment necessary, babies under the age of 12 months must be seen by their own GP.

 

Advice and treatment for complaints including minor cuts, bruises, burns, scalds, insect bites; muscle and joint injuries, back pain, coughs, colds: headache and dizziness; stomach ache, indigestion, constipation, vomiting and diarrhoea; ear, nose and throat problems including minor infections and sore throats; eye problems such as conjunctivitis and styes; skin complaints including rashes, minor allergic reactions, scabies, head lice and nappy rash; genitor-urinary complaints such as urinary infections and thrush and pregnancy testing, advice and referral, ‘morning –after’ emergency contraception pill and sexual health advice.

 

CONTACT YOUR GP OR GP OUT OF HOURS SERVICE 

 

GP SURGERY 

 

For most medical problems phone your GP practice for advice or to make an appointment. You should expect to see GP within 48 hours.

 

GPs visit patients at home only if they decide there is a medical need. If your surgery is closed and you need urgent advice or treatment call NHS Direct or the GP out-of-hours service.

 

 

GP OUT-OF-HOURS  

 

If you need help outside normal hours, phone your GP and follow the recorded advice or ring 0300 555 4566. 

This service is for medical problems too urgent to wait until your own GP practice is next open.

You will be given advice over the phone and if necessary arrangements will be made for you to be seen.

 

GO TO YOUR NEAREST HOSPITAL A&E DEPARTMENT 

 

A&E 

 

Only go to a hospital A&E department in the event of an accident or emergency

 

An emergency is a critical or life-threatening situation such as

 

• Unconsciousness
• Suspected broken bones
• Heavy blood loss
• Suspected heart attack
• Deep wounds-such as a stab wound
• Breathing difficulties
• Sudden chest Pain
• Head injuries

 

If you are unsure whether a health problem is an emergency needing A&E treatment then call your GP or NHS Direct for advice

 

CALL 999 FOR THE AMBULANCE SERVICE 

 

999 AMBULANCE 

 

Call 999 for an ambulance if the patient:

 

• Has had chest pains for more than 15 minutes
• Is not breathing/is choking
• Is unconscious
• Is bleeding heavily
• Is in severe abdominal pain
• May have had a stroke, fit or convulsion
• May have taken an overdose
• Has severe burns
• Has suspected head or spinal injuries
• Has had severe allergic reaction causing shortness of breath or choking 

 

Further instructions will be given over the phone by a specially trained call taker and, if appropriate, an ambulance will be sent.

 

TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF 

 

GET A FREE SEASONAL FLU JAB 

 

You can protect yourself against seasonal flu by getting an annual jab. You can get a free jab if you: 

 

• Are aged 65 or over
• Are pregnant
• People with long term conditions, which can be anything from diabetes to asthma, heart disease and multiple sclerosis. 

 

Speak to your GP or local community pharmacist if you think you might qualify for a free jab

 

If you don’t qualify for a free flu jab, you could always pay for one yourself. It can cost as little as £7.

 

AVOID CACTHING COLDS AND FLU

 

Colds and flu spread very easily. Young children in particular can be at risk because their immune system is still developing.

 

 Please follow these simple measures to reduce the risk of catching and spreading infection:

 

• Use paper tissues instead of cotton handkerchiefs
• Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Throw away used tissues as soon as possible
• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly using soap and warm water
• Make sure your medicine cabinet at home is  stocked up with over -the- counter cough and cold remedies
• Drink more low fat milk and eat more low fat yogurts to boost your immune system

 

KEEP WARM, KEEP WELL

 

Stay one step ahead of the weather by checking the forecast regularly. Severe weather warnings are issued on the Met Office website at www.metoffice.gov.uk

 

HEAT YOUR HOME EFFECTIVLY AND SAFELY 

 

Some of these energy-saving tips may seem obvious but they can make a big difference to your bills. 

 

• Set your heating to the right temperature. Your living room should be between 18-21oc (74-70oF) with the rest of your home at least 16oc. above this and you will be wasting money. Below this and you may be risking your health
• Set your heating to come on just before you get up and switch off just after you have gone to bed.
• If it’s very cold, set your heating to come on earlier and switch off later.
• If you have open fires, make sure they are properly ventilated
• If you use a fire or heater in your bedroom at night, always keep the room well ventilated.

 

HELP TO PAY YOU’RE HEATING BILLS 

 

There are grants, benefits and sources of advice available to you to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating and keep your bills as low as possible.

 

 THE WINTER FUEL PAYMENT 

 

Is a tax free benefit designed to help you pay your domestic bills? It’s payable to people born before 5th January 1951 and is worth up to £300 depending on your age, whether you live alone and what benefits you are already getting.

 

For more details, call 08459 151515 weekdays from 8.30am to 4.30 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/winterfuel

 

HEALTH THROUGH WARMTH (HTW) 

 

Npower Health through Warmth (HTW) is a scheme which aims to help vulnerable people who have cold related illnesses and they don’t have adequate heating or insulation in their homes and are unable to fully fund necessary measures themselves. 

 

The types of measure that HTW can assist with are heating systems and appliances, boiler repairs and replacement (if beyond repair), loft and cavity wall insulation and energy efficiency advice.

 

For future information or to contact HTW, please visit our website for details: www.healththroughwarmth.com

 

THE ENERGY SAVING TRUST 

 

The Energy Saving Trust gives impartial, accurate and authoritative advice on how to reduce carbon emissions and use water more sustainably, as well as how to help people to save money on energy bills.  

 

For more information visit: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk