The NHS in Essex is working with hospitals, mental health services and other local health and care services to prepare for winter. Our plan helps us use services effectively and continue essential care during periods of high demand, outbreaks of illness or very cold weather.
Health services remained busy during the summer, partly because of periods of very hot weather. This means we are entering winter after a demanding year, so planning early and helping people stay well are especially important.
There are simple things we can all do to stay well and reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill this winter. If you do feel unwell, knowing where to get the right help can mean you are seen more quickly and can start feeling better sooner.
This winter, protect yourself by getting the vaccinations you are eligible for, keeping basic medicines at home and seeking help early if you become unwell. Use your community pharmacy or NHS 111 when appropriate and only call 999 or go to A&E for a life-threatening emergency.
If you have a medical concern, please come forward for help. The aim is not to stop people using NHS services. It is to help you reach the right service first time, so you can get the care or support you need more quickly. By knowing where to go, we can also help NHS teams respond to people who need them most during winter.
Get vaccinated
Flu vaccination is now available for people who are eligible. It is one of the best ways to protect yourself from flu, which can cause serious illness. The vaccine is free for eligible people.
From 1 September, flu vaccination was available for eligible pregnant women, children aged 2 or 3, and school-aged children from reception to Year 11.
From 1 October, flu vaccination was available for eligible adults. This includes people aged 65 and over, people aged 16 to 64 in a clinical risk group, people with certain long-term health conditions, care home residents and some carers.
We have a wealth of information on our website about who is eligible, the benefits and where to get vaccinated. Our campaign, Super Bodies, is perfect for families with young children and I would encourage people to take a look.
Keep basic medication to hand
Keep a small supply of basic medicines at home, such as pain relief that is suitable for you. Order repeat prescriptions before you run out, especially before weekends and bank holidays. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure what you need.
Ask your community pharmacy first
Community pharmacies are a good first place to go for advice about minor illnesses or injuries. Pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals who can assess symptoms, offer advice and, where appropriate, provide treatment without you needing to see a GP.
As part of Pharmacy First, pharmacies can help you with a range of conditions, including some of those winter illnesses that affect so many of us:
- Ear infection in children aged 1 to 17
- Shingles
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat
Pharmacists can supply you with any medication you may need for certain conditions if it is safe and appropriate to do so.
A pharmacist may be able to help you sooner and can help make GP appointments available for people who need care from their GP practice.
If the pharmacist cannot provide the care you need, they will explain what to do next and may direct you to another appropriate NHS service.
Find local support through Essex Frontline
Essex Frontline helps you find trusted local health, wellbeing and community support in one place. You can search without registering and, for some services, refer yourself directly. Search Essex Frontline online or download the free Frontline Referrals app.
Get urgent dental care
If you need urgent dental care, contact your usual dentist first if you have one. You can also contact NHS 111, which can assess your symptoms and arrange urgent dental care if needed. Do not contact your GP practice for a dental emergency, as it cannot provide dental treatment.
Get help with an eye problem
If you have eye pain, redness, blurred vision or a change in your sight, you can self refer to the Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS). The service offers assessment and treatment for a range of eye problems through specially trained optometrists at participating optical practices in Essex.
You do not need to see your GP first. You can contact a participating practice directly to arrange an appointment.
Get urgent mental health support
If you need urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. You do not need a GP referral in a crisis. Call 999 if there is an immediate risk to life.
Visit or call NHS 111
Use NHS 111 online or call 111 if you need medical help quickly but it is not a life-threatening emergency. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can direct you to an appropriate local service.
It’s ideal for when you need medical help quickly or are not sure about which service to use. It’s also helpful when you need urgent dental help or your GP surgery is closed.
Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency. If it is not an emergency, a community pharmacy or NHS 111 may be able to help. NHS 111 can arrange an ambulance if their assessment shows that you need one.
Urgent or emergency?
Knowing whether your medical issue is urgent or an emergency will help you find the right service and get help quicker.
For most people, the community pharmacy, NHS 111 or a routine appointment with their GP practice will provide the support they need. For people with a more immediate medical need, their GP practice may offer same-day appointments.
Sometimes an illness or injury is life-threatening. Call 999 in an emergency, such as when someone has chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke, is unconscious, is bleeding heavily or has a severe injury.
- Chest pains
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Lost consciousness
- heavy bleeding
- a severe injury
Using the right service helps you get appropriate care and helps emergency teams respond to people with life-threatening conditions.
If you are unsure whether it is an emergency, use NHS 111 online or call 111. A trained adviser will assess what help you need and tell you what to do next. If necessary, they can arrange an ambulance.
These are all just some ways we can help ourselves and others over winter. Check which vaccinations you are eligible for, keep essential medicines at home and know where to get help before you need it.
In our next winter blog, Sam Goldberg, Executive Director of Commissioning at NHS Essex, will explain more about how local NHS services are preparing for the months ahead.