NHS Trust urges residents to stay well during cold snap

With much colder weather forecast for the rest of the week, and another bank holiday on the horizon, Trust health bosses are urging residents to take steps to stay well this New Year.

Met Office forecasts suggest temperatures will plummet in the next few days, posing an increased risk for more vulnerable groups, including older adults and those with long-term medical conditions.

Cold weather spells can affect everyone, but for older people a drop in temperature can aggravate many health problems.  For some, this can lead to admission to hospital which can be avoided.

Wendy Scott, Chief Operating Officer, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust explained:  “We know that winter is a particularly busy time for the NHS and with the next bank holiday just around the corner, we’re encouraging everyone to consider how they can help ease the pressure on local healthcare services.

“Cold and damp weather including ice and cold winds can be bad for your health, especially if you're aged 65 or older or have a long term condition.  It can make you more vulnerable to winter illnesses, such as coughs and colds, which can become very serious and increases the likelihood and severity of flu and respiratory problems.”

Wendy added: “If people do feel unwell, it’s really important to know which healthcare service to use to get the right care, first time.  Our hospital A&E departments are for emergency care only.  Choosing the right service best suited to your illness or injury will help relieve the pressure on A&E, GPs and ambulance services.  If you are unsure or need advice you can call NHS 111, which is a free service and can quickly direct you to the right service.”

For information and advice on staying healthy this winter, visit the Stay Well This Winter website, which cover topics such as medicine cabinet essentials and tips for self-care for a range of conditions - including sore throats, ear infections, back pain and flu.

28 December 2017