NHS guide to staying healthy this winter

Nov 26 2009 By Mike Larkin

PEOPLE at risk from winter illness could save their lives by taking a few simple steps.

Five easy precautions could be the difference between a happy festive season and a trip to the casualty ward.

NHS Scotland has compiled the life-saving advice as part of its Be Ready for Winter campaign.

It highlights how people can access NHS services during winter and what they can do to help fend off illnesses which typically take hold at this time of year, such as colds, coughs, sore throats and flu.

The five easy steps are: Ensuring medicine cabinets are re-stocked to deal with minor ailments.

Understanding the services and advice pharmacists can provide if people are unwell.

Making sure repeat medicines are ordered to avoid running out during weekends or holidays.

Finding out the opening times of local GPs and pharmacies, particularly over the festive season.

Being prepared for the winter weather and keeping fit and well.

Director of Public Health for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Linda de Caestecker, said: "Self-caring can help people to fend off common winter illnesses and enables local health services to provide help where it is most needed."

GP surgeries will be closed for four days over Christmas (December 25 to 28) and over New Year (January 1 to 4).