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Are you winter ready? Local NHS takes to the streets to find out!
From today, your local NHS is taking to the streets of Surrey to ask a simple question –
Are you winter ready?
Winter is always an incredibly busy time for the NHS - hospital admissions and demand for services increases, cases of flu and Covid-19 are often on the rise, and many health conditions are exacerbated by the effects of the colder weather – so from today we are heading out to talk to the people of Surrey to find out if they are ‘winter ready’.
The first event, as part of a series of roadshows visiting towns across the county, began today (Thursday 26th October) in Leatherhead, with the programme of events running for several weeks until the end of November.
Giselle Rothwell, Director of Communications and Engagement at NHS Surrey Heartlands explains:
Winter is always an incredibly busy time for the NHS and, with the colder weather now setting in, these roadshows are a great opportunity for us to take to the streets to find out if people are ‘winter ready’.
As well as reminding people that flu and Covid-19 vaccines are available for anyone who is eligible, we will also be finding out if people know where to access urgent care if they need it and if they have taken other simple steps like downloading the NHS App, which makes it even quicker and easier to request repeat prescriptions and seek health advice.
The roadshows will be an opportunity for us to talk to residents about:
- Winter flu and Covid-19 vaccinations to remind people who are eligible that they can still get protected
- How to access urgent health advice and treatment if people need it – and which service to access, when (including the role of pharmacies, GP practice teams, NHS 111 online and the phone service, Minor Injury Units, Walk-in-Centres and Urgent Treatment Centres and the importance of keeping A&E and 999 for medical emergencies, life-threatening situations and those who are critically ill so people can get the care they need as quickly as possible).
- Planning ahead when it comes to ordering repeat prescriptions and keeping a well stocked medicine cabinet at home for common bugs and illnesses, which can be treated through self care
- The NHS App, which gives health advice and makes it even easier to order repeat prescriptions
- Planning ahead when colder weather is coming and keeping homes heated to recommended levels to help people keep warm and well
The roadshows are taking place in towns across Surrey Heartlands and will be supported by a programme of wider community engagement, which will focus on areas and communities that may experience health inequalities or other barriers to accessing services.
We will also be working with the voluntary sector, including local carer organisations, to attend other planned events to talk about winter.
The roadshows are taking place in the following locations:
- Thursday 26th October, Swan Centre, Leatherhead
- Tuesday 31st October, The Belfry shopping centre, Redhill
- Wednesday 8th November, Elmsleigh shopping centre, Staines
- Monday 13th November, Guildford train station
- Wednesday 15th November, Merstham Community Centre, Merstham
- Thursday 16th November, Brooklands shopping centre, Weybridge
- Wednesday 22nd November, Ashley shopping centre, Epsom
- Saturday 25th November, Ashford Hospital Community Open Day
Giselle added:
With local services seeing more patients than ever before, we can all play our part in helping the local NHS - and these roadshows are just one part of our wider winter plan, where we can raise awareness about how people can protect themselves and stay warm and well this winter.