Advice to help you stay well this winter and measures in place to support you
As we approach Christmas it’s a season that often sees a challenging rise in winter bugs and illnesses. We want you to keep healthy by following advice to help you stay well this winter.
Steps you can take to stay well this winter:
- Get your winter vaccinations
It’s important to get your winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if you’re eligible. Getting vaccinated every year will top up your protection and reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms. If you’re pregnant or aged 75 to 79 you’re also eligible for an RSV vaccine. Find out more about NHS winter vaccinations. - Help prevent the spread of infection
To protect yourself and your loved ones, always wash your hands with soap and water before eating after using the toilet. Stay at home if you have flu-like symptoms or are experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhoea. If you feel unwell or symptoms persist seek advice by calling 111. - Make sure you re-order prescriptions in advance of bank holidays
Check your medications in advance of the Christmas and new year bank holidays and request repeat prescriptions in plenty of time to see you through to 2025. - Stay warm and comfortable in cold weather
Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of cold weather especially those who are frail, elderly and the very young. Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression. Check in with relatives and neighbours who may find it more difficult to get out and about. - Watch out in hazardous conditions
Take care when driving or walking in bad weather – we all know snow and ice can be dangerous, but many are caught out each winter and need urgent treatment or emergency care. - Help us help you by calling 111, if not an emergency
If it’s not life threatening, please consider other options before dialling 999 or coming to Accident & Emergency. It means our emergency staff can concentrate on people whose lives are at serious risk and save you an unnecessarily long wait.
NHS 111 will direct you to the right care and can book you an appointment with our urgent and emergency care services if needed.
In fact, hospital may not always be the best place to receive medical care and support and many of our teams can provide the medical care you need in your own home.
Additional steps we’ve taken to support you this winter:
Be assured that if you do need our care and support this winter our teams are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Trust has also taken the following steps to make sure we have the extra capacity to support you:
- In November the Trust opened a new 21-bedded ward at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The ward has been set up as an Emergency Medical Receiving Unit to provide greater emergency capacity for patients arriving via ambulance or GP referral who require a short hospital admission. It will help ensure patients receive high quality care in a timely manner.
- The Trust has also reopened its reablement facility within Olympic Lodge in the grounds of Stoke Mandeville Stadium, adjacent to Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The unit – which has provided additional capacity over winter months for the past 3 years – accommodates patients who no longer need hospital medical care but who need ongoing care to be in place before they can return home to continue their recovery. The facility will remain open until next Spring to provide an additional, temporary facility to support the extra capacity the hospital needs over the Winter period.
Neil Macdonald, Chief Executive of the Trust said: “This time of year can be especially challenging as the number of emergency attendances rises. Both of these facilities – one a new state of the art unit, and the other a comfortable facility, slightly apart from the hustle and bustle of the main hospital – allow us to provide our patients with timely and appropriate care in the right environment. We hope you can avoid the need to come and see us this winter, but we’re here for you, both in our hospitals and in your homes, should you need our care.”
