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NHS takes to the streets to find out if people are winter ready
Are you winter ready? That’s the question being asked by NHS Surrey Heartlands as it takes to the streets across Surrey as part of its annual winter campaign.
Winter is always an incredibly busy time for the NHS - hospital admissions and demand for services increases, cases of flu and Covid-19 are on the rise, and many health conditions are exacerbated by the effects of the colder weather – so from this week NHS Surrey Heartlands are launching a series of winter roadshows to find out if people are ‘winter ready’.
The first roadshow takes place today in Leatherhead, with the programme of events, 14 in total, running for nine weeks until the beginning of December.
Dr Charlotte Canniff, Joint Chief Medical Officer at NHS Surrey Heartlands and Surrey GP 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 the best form of protection 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 are an opportunity to talk to residents and provide information about a range of areas including:
- Flu and Covid-19 vaccinations, which opened for bookings this week, as well as the new RSV vaccine (for people age 75-79 and people who are pregnant), to remind people who are eligible that they can 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 and Pharmacy First for many common conditions, GP practice teams, NHS 111, 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, view your health record and book appointments.
- 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:
- Wednesday 2nd October, Fairfield Community Centre, Leatherhead.
- Thursday 3rd October, Ashley Shopping Centre, Epsom.
- Thursday 10th October, Merstham Community Hub, Merstham.
- Tuesday 29th October, The Belfry Shopping Centre, Redhill.
- Thursday 31st October, Dorking Christian Centre, Dorking.
- Monday 4th November, Brooklands Shopping Centre, Weybridge.
- Tuesday 5th November, The Swan Shopping Centre, Leatherhead.
- Wednesday 6th November, Woodhatch Community Centre, Reigate.
- Friday 8th November, Victoria Place Shopping Centre, Woking.
- Monday 11th November, Walton Centre, Walton.
- Tuesday 12th November, The Friary Shopping Centre, Guildford.
- Monday 18th November, Banstead Community Centre, Banstead.
- Saturday 23rd November, The Hive Community Centre.
- Friday 6th December Horley Community Centre, Horley.
Dr Canniff 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 campaign, where we can raise awareness about how people can protect themselves and stay well this winter.