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Winter weather makes it more important to Choose Well

Released: 08 Jan 2010

People across Sussex are being urged to choose the most appropriate NHS service as one of the coldest winters in more than a decade continues to mount pressure on essential services.

Plunging temperatures and icy roads and footpaths are putting increased demand on both the region's community and acute hospitals.

Barry Newell, Emergency Planning lead for NHS West Sussex, said:

“A lot of the injuries we have seen recently happened when people just popped out of their house and slipped on ice. In severe weather conditions it is so important that people stay inside and keep warm whenever possible, and only travel if they have to. Also, people with cardiac or respiratory conditions can help to protect themselves in cold weather by taking simple precautions such as covering their mouth with a scarf.”

The spell of cold weather has led to a higher demand for NHS services and urged people to be responsible when using hospitals.

Barry continued:

“It is so important that people consider if they have a genuine emergency before they go to A&E or call 999. I would encourage people to consider accessing other health services such as NHS Direct, their GP or local walk-in centre, rather than calling 999 or arriving at accident and emergency.“

Accident and emergency should be saved for critical or life-threatening situations.”

If you do need medical attention, follow the guide below:

A&E or 999 : for critical or life-threatening situations
NHS Walk-in Centre or Minor Injury Unit : for treatment of minor illnesses or injuries, without an appointment
GP : for medical advice, examinations and prescriptions for illnesses you just can’t shake off
Pharmacist : for advice on common winter illnesses, and the best medicines to treat them
NHS Direct : for absolutely any health questions, around the clock, and to find local services
Self-care : for treatment of minor winter illnesses, by combining a well stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest

As well as looking after yourself, remember the needs of friends, relatives and neighbours who could be at risk.

Cold weather is especially dangerous for the older people or those with serious illnesses. Those with heart or respiratory problems are more likely to experience worsening symptoms during a cold spell, and for several days after temperatures have returned to normal.

Take time to check on your neighbours and make sure they are coping with the weather. If you have vulnerable people in your community, ask if you could get food or supplies in for them or if they need help to go out.

Health services available:

Advice is available from NHS Direct 24 hours a day on 0845 4647 or at www.nhs.uk.

Alternatively, if you have an urgent medical problem when your own GP’s surgery is closed, people in West Sussex can call the Out of Hours service on 0300 130 1313. The Out of Hours service is not for routine matters, repeat prescriptions, or booking appointments at a person’s own surgery.

There are four Minor Injury Units (MIUs) in West Sussex and an Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital, which can treat minor injuries like cuts, grazes, sprains and fractured bones.

The MIUs can be found at:

Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital
Horsham Hospital
Queen Victoria Hospital (East Grinstead)
Zachary Merton Hospital (Littlehampton)

The MIUs are open Monday-Friday (daytime) but closed weekends and bank holidays (except Queen Victoria Hospital which is open weekends). The Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital is open 24 hours a day, including New Year.

Practical steps to help you stay warm and healthy include:

Having regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day, eating regularly helps to keep energy levels up during winter
Wearing several light layers of warm clothes
Keeping as active as possible
Remembering to wrap up warm if you need to go outside on cold days
If you are indoors, close your curtains, use draught excluders and insulate your doors and windows as best you can 14 this will keep the heat in and help to reduce your bills
Set the thermostat to 21°C (70°F) and the timer to come on before you get up. If you can't heat all of the rooms you use, heat the living room throughout the day and your bedroom just before you go to bed
If it's very cold, set your heating to come on earlier rather than turning the thermostat up
Set your timer so that the heating switches off after you've gone to bed

If you have any immediate health concerns, please call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhs.uk.

For more information visit www.direct.gov.uk/keepwarmkeepwell

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