District Nurses show resilience in snow

A District Nurse with a patient

District Nurses from Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Community Healthcare have been braving the elements to provide services to patients.

The Night Nursing team have been able to secure use of a four wheel drive vehicle thanks to out of hours GP provider BARDOC who is also escorting them on visits. This means that the Night Nursing team can continue to visit patients who are elderly and most vulnerable during the worst weather. Another staff member is also working from her own home, visiting patients who live nearby.

Operational Manager for District Nursing, Jackie Taylor, said: “Even when faced with severe weather like we are experiencing at the moment, it is essential that we reach our patients. We have been forced to cancel some routine clinic appointments or home visits but our dedicated team are doing everything they can to ensure services are provided as normal.

“All patients who are affected by any changes have been informed and are very understanding about the challenges the District Nursing team is currently under. We will continue to have telephone contact with patients who we are unable to reach so that we can make sure they are well and don’t need any immediate care.”

If you start to feel unwell, there is a lot you can do to take good care of yourself during the cold snap:

• 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 
• Use 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.

For health advice, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhs.uk.