Health advice over Christmas
Whether it’s a chipped tooth, the flu or a fall at home, we can never predict when accidents or illnesses will happen, and it’s always unfortunate when it is over the holiday period.
But before you head for A&E – remember, you should only go there if it is a real emergency, such as a serious injury or illness which requires immediate treatment.
There are lots of other places where you can get help:
- Advice at home – NHS Direct offers health advice 24 hours a day in the comfort of your own home. Telephone 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.
- Over the counter – Your local pharmacist can give advice and over the counter remedies for coughs, colds and flu, pregnancy testing and minor cuts and injuries. A limited number of pharmacists will be open over the festive season. For details please see www.nhs.uk.
- Your local GP is available to call for advice or to book an appointment during normal opening times every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. three-quarters of our GP practices have extended opening hours. For more information visit www.nhs.uk.
- Out-of-hours – If you or a member of your family feels unwell and cannot wait until your GP practice next opens to be seen, you can contact the out of hours service. Dial your GP practice’s number as normal and you will either be connected directly to the out of hours service or be given a number to call
- Dental emergency – If you are registered with a dentist, call to book an emergency appointment. For out of hours emergencies, Birmingham residents can contact 0845 603 1435. If you are not registered with a dentist and need emergency work done, Birmingham Dental Hospital runs a walk-in service daily from 9am. Patients are seen on a first come first served basis and the first tickets are issued at 7.30am.
- Minor injuries or illnesses – The NHS walk-in centre based on the lower ground floor of Boots in the city centre will be open every day over the festive period except Christmas Day. Alternatively you can visit one of our Urgent Care Centres in Kingstanding (at Warren Farm) and Washwood Heath
- Remember to think ahead! Stock up on all your repeat prescription medicines so you’ve got enough to see you through the Christmas period. It might be hard to get a repeat prescription during Christmas week.
Look after yourself this winter
Winter can be a great time for the family – a chance to come together to celebrate the various religious festivals and New Year.
However, it is also a time when colds and flu are on the increase and people can feel lonely and down, especially if you are going through upsetting or stressful life events, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy or money worries. Most of us know what it is like to feel a bit low but if it continues and gets worse it may become depression.
Do make the effort to check on friends and relatives and if you are worried about someone, give them plenty of opportunities to talk. If the problem does not go away, encourage them to talk to their GP or contact a helpline such as the Samaritans – telephone 08457 90 90 90 or visit www.samaritans.org.uk.
Stay warm this winter
It is vital that everyone, especially the elderly and vulnerable, keeps warm during the winter months as cold weather can contribute to heart attacks, stroke and pneumonia.
Remember:
- Wear several thin layers of clothing and something on your head during the day and night as this traps your body heat better.
- Eat a well balanced diet as this helps your body to stay warm and healthy. You should aim to eat at least one hot meal a day and have hot drinks throughout the day.
- Staying active is good for your health and can make you warmer; simple exercise such as walking could help with your blood circulation.
- Make sure your home is well insulated. Contact the Warm Front Scheme on freephone 0800 316 2805 for more information and to find out if you are eligible for a grant. We also run a Health Through Warmth scheme.
- Keep the main rooms you use well heated and close doors to rooms you won’t be using.
Advice for older people in winter
Information on how to keep warm and generally look after yourself for older people in winter, taken from NHS Choices’ YouTube channel, taken from January 2009.
