Winter Wellbeing

Accessing the right health services for your needs

During the winter months, health services can become overwhelmed through greatly increased demand.

To help limit the impact it is important that you are aware of which service is right for you at a given time.

Firstly, if you start to feel unwell, even if it is just a cough or cold, don't wait until it gets more serious -- get help from your pharmacist. Your pharmacist can give you advice for many common minor illnesses, such as diarrhoea, minor infections, headache or sore throats, so the pharmacy should be your first port of call.

Aside of your local pharmacy, here's our advice on which services to access in a particular situation:

• Call NHS 111 if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation. You can also call NHS 111 if you're not sure which NHS service you need;
• Call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk and;
• Make an appointment with your GP if you are feeling unwell and it is not an emergency.
• Make sure you speak to your pharmacist about medicines you should have in stock to help get you and your family through the winter season. Also check to see if older neighbours, relatives and friends have the medication they need.

Remember, if you do need help when your GP surgery is closed and it's not serious or life threatening, call NHS 111 or visit: www.nhs.uk, where you can be directed to a local service that is open.

You can do your part in helping to take the strain off health services by ensuring you have pharmacy purchased medicines at home to treat common illnesses, keep an eye on vulnerable members of the community and ensure you get help and advice as soon as you start to feel unwell.

For further winter wellbeing advice, visit: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell and scroll down to the winter wellbeing section. Advice can also be found on the council's Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/cheshireeastcouncil and on Twitter at: @CheshireEast

Residents can help friends and neighbours, who do not have internet access, by downloading and printing off information from the website and giving it to them.