In what some national hospital bosses are calling a ‘quademic,’ NHS services are dealing with challenges on four fronts this winter – from rapidly increasing levels of flu, COVID, winter vomiting bugs and respiratory (breathing) illnesses. UK Health Security Agency data is currently showing a national 350% increase in people hospitalised with flu compared to the same week last year.
To help protect yourself and your family from the misery of avoidable illness, and ensure that NHS services are there for those who need them, local NHS leaders are calling on everyone in our area to take these simple steps:
- Make sure that you and your family are up to date with flu, COVID, and RSV vaccinations. These vaccines are especially important for older people, those with underlying health conditions, and pregnant women. Visit the Hertfordshire and west Essex vaccination hub for more information on who is eligible and how to get your vaccine. Don’t delay – get protected before Christmas and New Year socialising increases your risks.
- If you or your family get the norovirus bug that causes sickness and diarrhoea, treat this at home with plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids. Reduce the spread by washing your hands frequently with soap and water – hand gels won’t kill norovirus. Stay off school or work and stay away from care homes, hospitals and social occasions until you’ve been clear of symptoms for at least two days. You will still be very infectious until then.
- If you or a loved one are very unwell over Christmas or New Year, get medical advice straight away. Early help can prevent hospital admissions and save lives. If you need help for a minor concern, see if your local pharmacy is open as they can often help when GP practices are closed. Contact NHS 111 free for urgent help or if you’re unsure. Don’t forget the mental health support on offer via NHS 111 – choose option 2 when you get through.
Dr Jane Halpin, Chief Executive of NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB, said:
“Our dedicated staff will be working over Christmas and New Year to treat everyone who really needs NHS services. Please play your part by being prepared for the winter months and reduce your risk of spending a miserable Christmas stuck at home or in hospital with a nasty virus. It’s not too late to get your vaccines – they’re free for the people most at risk and save countless lives every year.
“For the NHS, the first week of January is historically one of the busiest of the year, partly as a result of viruses and also because seriously ill people put off seeking help over the bank holidays. Getting help early helps you and others who need our services.”
A new online winter health and information hub has gone live, giving advice on how people across Hertfordshire and west Essex can look after themselves and their loved ones over the colder months. The information hub aims to help everyone ‘Be prepared for winter’ by following key wellbeing advice to help prevent illness. Topics covered include vaccinations, how to look after your mental health and boost your immunity by eating well and advice on keeping warm.
A printed guide to all these services has also been distributed locally in the area to places like the local citizens advice bureau and food banks, so that people who are less likely to be online can access this information.
For more information on keeping well this winter visit the Hertfordshire and west Essex winter health and wellbeing information hub at https://www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/winter