Report to the People
15th December 2003
Keeping Healthy in Winter
For
some in our community, a cold snap such as the one we shivered through last week
brings much more to worry about than a runny nose or having to scrape frost off
your windscreen.
For
older people and those with certain medical conditions, the illnesses which come
along with the long nights and cold days of winter – from flu to pneumonia –
can pose a real threat.
Obviously,
this leads to our health and social care services gearing up at this time each
year for the impending increase in demand. I read last week, for example, that the NHS has committed
around £12 million for more staff and beds and that around £11 million is
being spent on this year's flu immunisation programme.
But
this is not just a job for the government or the health service.
We all have a responsibility to protect ourselves, our families, our
friends and our community. And
there are simple ways to do it.
First,
as the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Mac Armstrong, says in his health advice for
winter, if you need a flu jab, get one. If
you haven’t had one yet, it's not too late – simply contact your GP as soon
as possible and arrange an appointment.
By
getting vaccinated you are not just protecting yourself, you are helping stem
the flow of infection, thereby helping protect the community at large. Everyone
over 65 is advised to get a flu jab, as is everyone (asides from babies under 6
months) who suffers from particular medical conditions, such as a chronic heart
or chest complaint; chronic kidney disease; or diabetes. (If
you have any other long-term medical complaint, the advice is to check with your
doctor about whether you should receive the vaccination.)
Dr
Armstrong also advises anyone who has health concerns to take sensible
precautions like keeping a note of the number of your GP and making sure you
have enough medication.
I
would not, of course, want to cause mass panic by leaving you with the
impression that death is stalking the streets.
But we are all at our lowest ebb in the depths of winter. So
it’s only common sense to take a few easy steps which could help avoid serious
illness.
If you
want more information on keeping warm and healthy during winter, call the NHS
Helpline, free, on 0800 22 44 88.
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