NHS says “be prepared” for the cold snap

Photo: Liam Buckley

Snow at Rochbury Close, Bamford last winter

As the North West experiences its first cold snap of the winter, NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (HMR) is advising people to make sure they stock up on some medicine cabinet essentials.

Snow is forecast for some areas by the weekend, 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.

Dr Jane Rossini, Director of Public Health at NHS HMR said: “Making sure you stock up on some essentials that can help you and your family to cope with common complaints such as colds, coughs, stomach upsets, flu and earache, will mean that you are better prepared. It will also mean that A&E, 999 and GP services have more time to deal with serious and life threatening conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, breathing problems and serious accidents.”

Basic advice that everyone can use includes:

• Use paracetamol or ibuprofen if you have a temperature caused by coughs, cold and flu;
• Paracetamol and ibruprofen can also be used for pain relief for complaints such as earache, stomach ache, sore throats, general aches and sprains
• Anti-diarrhoea and re-hydration mixtures for adults if they have an upset stomach
• Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids
• If you take prescribed medication, make sure you have adequate supplies, especially if you are staying with friends or family during the winter period as severe weather may extend your stay longer than anticipated

Dr Rossini said: “There is a lot people can do to self-care for common complaints, without needing to go to a GP. The majority of people will begin to feel better within three to four days and will recover within two to three weeks. Your local high-street pharmacist can give you advice on the best medicines to take for you and your family. So it is worth talking to them about medicine cabinet essentials. Antibiotics have no effect on conditions such as coughs, colds, flu or stomach upsets”.

“Always read the instructions for any medicines and do not take more than the recommended dose. If your symptoms suddenly deteriorate or fail to improve over a couple of weeks contact your GP.”

NHS organisations across the North West are backing a campaign that aims to reduce the number of people who go to A&E with common complaints such as coughs, colds. It is estimated that one out of every four people who go to A&E don’t need to be there; in addition, national estimates of people going to see a GP with complaints that they could self treat is £2 billion.

For more information about self care options for common complaints, visit: www.nhs.uk