Health experts urge people to prepare for colder conditions

Dr Chris Duffy, Clinical Chair of NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group

Senior doctors and nurses across Rochdale Borough are urging the people to be prepared for the plunging temperatures across the region.

For those living with health problems such as heart disease, lung disease, cancer and asthma, a drop in temperature to below 12 degrees, plus common winter illnesses such as colds, flu, coughs and the vomiting bug, Norovirus, can be extremely harmful to health.

Dr Chris Duffy, Clinical Chair of NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Each winter we see an increase in those with underlying health problems admitted to hospital. In Rochdale Borough last winter there were more than 1,400 people admitted to hospital with respiratory problems – and more than 37,000 in the North West.

“Those with respiratory problems are the second biggest group for emergency hospital admissions and this reaches a peak in winter months. And they are particularly vulnerable to the winter conditions most of us take for granted.”

Clinical teams from NHS HMR are urging those with underlying health conditions to some simple steps to ensure they’re prepared for winter.

Added Dr Duffy: “Have your flu jab so that you are protected against the influenza virus; review the medicines you are taking – your pharmacist can help with this and ensure you have enough supplies of repeat medicine for winter in case icy conditions make it impossible to go out.

“Stay as active as possible and wear several layers of warm clothing to help combat the chill. It’s also important to stock up on ‘the basics’ in your medicine cabinet – cold and cough remedies; ensure you have details to hand of support services available for people with your condition and prepare a checklist of steps you need to manage your condition to prevent you becoming ill.

”And I would urge people to be good neighbours and ensure the elderly, or those suffering from serious illness, are safe and well this winter. Vulnerable older people are more susceptible to the cold‚ so a quick visit to check everyone is warm and well can make all the difference.”

A guide providing information and advice on keeping warm this winter is available from Age UK - www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/spread-the-warmth/get-ready-for-winter/

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale joins NHS teams across the North West backing the nationwide Choose Well campaign.

Choose Well reinforces the message that A&E and 999 services are for life-threatening and serious conditions.

Your local high-street pharmacy can help you deal with minor illnesses and complaints such as coughs, colds, flu, stomach upsets, aches and sprains. To find your local NHS service go to www.nhs.uk and use the free service finder, or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.