A hot drink for story regarding pensioners to keep warm in winter PICTURE BY DAVE HARWOOD

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NHS chiefs in East Anglia are urging families in the region to use the right service this winter to stay healthy.

With temperatures having plummeted this week, health trusts have been quick to pass on their tips in an effort to avoid hospital overcrowding and preventable illnesses during the cold snap.

Last year, poor use of A&E in winter months cost Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) £1.3 million – enough to treat 360 heart attack patients or buy 230 hip replacements.

To combat the problem, as part of the CCG’s Choose Well campaign, pupils at almost 40 secondary schools and sixth form colleges this week received postcards highlighting each local NHS service and what conditions they can treat, while a new booklet about childhood illnesses is being distributed by health visitors to parents of young children. The material is translated into more than 20 languages.

The options are:

• Self care – you may be able to treat minor illnesses or injuries such as sprains, strains, and cuts and grazes yourself.

• Call 111, the replacement for NHS Direct, 24 hours a day for health advice.

• Pharmacists can give advice for treating common illnesses and the best medicines to use.

• Visit a GP for medical advice, examinations or an illness or injury that require prescriptions.

• NHS walk-in centre for treating minor illnesses and injuries that do not require an emergency visit, No appointment needed.

• Hospital A&E or 999 for life-threatening emergencies

Dr Neil Modha, CCG chief clinical officer, said: “A&E should only be used by people who are acutely ill or who have life threatening problems, such as stroke, blacking out or have severe blood loss.

“By using the right service, treatment can be given quicker to those in need of urgent care.

“If you go into hospital this winter, you should expect to be discharged as soon as you are medically fit as staying in hospital beyond this point is not in your best interests. It also reduces beds availability for patients who are ill and in need of hospital care.”

Meanwhile, Tracy Dowling, of NHS England’s East Anglia office, urged the public to seek early advice if they feel unwell in an effort to reduce the seasonal rise in patients attending A&E departments.

She said: “Look after yourself this winter. If you know someone who is frail or elderly or has a serious health problem, then help look after them too.

“Help or encourage them to go to their pharmacy or GP before one problem leads to another and they end up in hospital.”

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH), which runs Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals, has added its own plea for patients and visitors to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly to avoid spreading flu and the winter vomiting bug, Norovirus. A deep cleaning programme is already in place.

Jag Ahluwalia, medical director at Addenbrooke’s, said: “We are prepared for winter but we know that we will face pressure in our A&E. We are asking local people to help us keep the hospital running smoothly to ensure we have the beds and the staff available for when you need to be in hospital by following the ‘Choose Well’ advice.”

HOUSEHOLDS are encouraged to stock up their medicine cabinet to prepare themselves for winter coughs, colds and bugs.

To avoid people turning up at hospital with minor illnesses and injuries that could be treated at home, NHS England are urging residents to take advantage of their pharmacist who can offer free, qualified health advice at any time.

The recommended basics include painkillers, cold and flu remedies, anti-diarrhoea medicine, oral rehydration salts, indigestion remedies, plasters, bandages and a thermometer.

However, Susan Stewart, medical director for NHS England in East Anglia, said patients should first check with their pharmacist to make sure the medicines are right for them and that their existing supplies are still okay to use and in date.

NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for donors to step forward and give blood in the run up to Christmas.

A unit of blood only has a shelf life of 35 days so it is crucial that enough donors come forward to donate over the next few weeks so patients can benefit over the festive period.

Upcoming sessions in the region during December will take place in Ramsey, Ely, Haddenham, Cambridge, Huntingdon, Gamlingay, St Ives, Burwell, Sutton, Buckden, Histon, Foxton, Linton and Cottenham.

For times, venues and to book an appointment, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk. Donors must be 17 or over and in general good health.

SUFFERERS of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and heart problems are urged to call their GP as soon as possible to book a free flu vaccination.

COPD is an umbrella term for a number of respiratory conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which prematurely age the lungs.

Dr Shylaja Thomas, public health consultant for NHS England in East Anglia, said: “If you have heart or lung problems and catch the flu, you are at higher risk of developing serious complications.

“Getting the flu jab is the best way to help protect you and others around you from getting flu this winter.”

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/flu.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE County Council has released its own five tips to stay healthy this winter.

• Heat the home. The living room should be 21 degrees while the rest of the house should be 18 degrees.

• Get financial support to make the home more energy efficient.

• Have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day.

• Get a flu jab, particularly if over 65, pregnant or with ongoing illnesses.

• Look after vulnerable neighbours and family members when temperatures drop.

Cllr Tony Orgee, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said; “I can’t reiterate enough how important it is for people who are vulnerable to heed the advice to keep warm and safe this winter.”