GMFRS joins forces with Public Health England to keep people warm and well this winter

Councillor Tom McGee, Councillor David Acton, Chairman, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Authority, Andrew Webb, Watch Manager Steve Bullock, GMFRS, Sister Jan Sinclair, Senior Health Care Public Health Nurse, Dr Donna Sager, Deputy Director of Public Health, People's Directorate, Paul Starling,

Manchester fire and rescue staff are joining forces with Public Health England (PHE) this winter to help communities stay well and warm through the cold months ahead.

The Stay Well This Winter campaign will see fire and rescue staff offering advice to residents on how to stay warm and healthy during Safe and Well visits.

Staff will also be delivering winter warmth bags to the Greater Manchester’s most vulnerable elderly residents.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is teaming up with PHE to help ease pressure on the region’s hospitals and GP surgeries.

There are some simple steps you can take to stay safe:

• Make sure you get your flu jab.
• Keep your home at 18°C (65°F) or higher if you can
• Take advantage of financial schemes and discounts to help you pay for heating
• Visit your local pharmacist as soon as you start to feel unwell
• Look out for other people who may need a bit of extra help over the winter

Professor Keith Willett, Medical Director for Acute Care at NHS England added: "The NHS is here to help, but there are important things we can all do to take care of ourselves during the winter months.

“It is vital that the most vulnerable people take preventative steps to keep healthy and stay well. We have a high number of A&E attendances over this time that are due to issues, which could have been avoided had people sought advice at the first sign of illness.

"We are urging people to take practical steps such as to wrap up warm before the temperature dial hits freezing.

“Research shows even at above freezing temperatures, for every one degree centigrade drop below five degrees, there is a resulting increase in older people consulting their GP for breathing problems, as well as an increase in deaths.”

Further details regarding the Stay Well This Winter campaign can be found at www.nhs.uk/staywell.

To book a free Safe and Well visit www.manchesterfire.gov.uk or call 0800 555 815.