Pre-Christmas Media packDate of issue 17/12/2015This document is a guide to help you promote key winter messages over the Festive period. It includes some images, text for website, pharmacy opening times and some suggested tweets etc. I hope it’s useful. Most of you should have received all the posters, guide to local health services and Winter care leaflets by now – if you haven’t then please let me know and I’ll arrange for them to be delivered asap.

Images attached to email

NHS National Stay Well This Winter campaign (prescription)

NHS National Stay Well This Winter campaign logo (stay-well-logo)

Stay Well header (stay-well2)

Choose well image (choose-well)

Tweets/ Facebook postsOrder repeat prescriptions tweets

Along with the presents, turkey & tinsel, make sure you have enough medicine to see you through Christmas #staywell

Order repeat prescriptions at least a week in advance so that Christmas can be enjoyed in good health.

Don’t let a lack of repeat medicine spoil your Christmas. Contact your Practice today. Make sure you order your repeat prescription early in time for Christmas. Order your essential medicines in time for the holidays, that means one less thing to worry

about #StayWellThisWinter

Stay Well this Winter campaign

Your local pharmacist can offer you free health advice at any time and no appointment is necessary. #StayWell www.nhs.nuk/staywell

Some pharmacies offer reduced opening hours over Xmas, plan ahead, get your prescriptions now #StayWell http://ow.ly/VLeYr

If you need a pharmacy over the Xmas period you can look on http://ow.ly/VLfUB or http://ow.ly/VLfZr #StayWell

Make sure your pharmacist is the first point of call when you feel unwell this winter #staywellthiswinter

Although most people will catch a cold during the winter months you can help stop the spread of germs. Find out more www.nhs.uk/staywell #staywell #selfcare

Most pharmacies have a consultation room so you can discuss your health concerns privately and comfortably #staywell

#NHS111 is on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help advise if you fall ill this winter #staywell

News stories/ info for your website

Remember to order repeat prescriptions in time for Christmas  Don’t leave it too late to order and collect repeat prescriptions this Christmas. We have limited opening hours during the Christmas holidays and the majority of pharmacies will also be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. (you can insert opening hours here – see poster)

Running out of daily medication over the festive period could have serious consequences for patients who rely on them to control heart and breathing problems. The busy festive period can make it difficult to remember the important, everyday things such as ordering repeat prescriptions. This is especially important, as those with long term conditions rely on their prescribed medication to help them keep their condition under control. It’s important to order repeat prescriptions at least a week in advance so that the festive season can be enjoyed in good health.

Patients can now order repeat prescriptions online by signing up to Patient Online, a national initiative where patients can also make GP appointments online. Those wishing to find out more should ask for registration forms at their GP practice.

Check your medicine cabinetDouble check you are prepared for the holiday period and have sufficient over-the-counter remedies to manage minor illnesses and injuries at home. Local pharmacies can provide useful advice and deal with minor ailments without people having to see their GP about winter bugs like coughs, colds, sore throats, stomach upsets and flu. For more information on what you can do to stay well visit www.nhs.uk/staywell

What to do if you feel unwell over Christmas and need medical helpPharmaciesCommon ailments such as colds, sore throats and coughs can often be effectively treated at home. Pharmacists have a wealth of knowledge in how to treat these types of illness and a local pharmacy may help. It is also important to make sure your medicine cabinet at home is well stocked and contains sufficient over-the-counter medicines to treat minor ailments.

Nottingham Urgent Care CentreSeaton House, London Road, Nottingham, NG2 4LAThis Urgent Care centre is open every day of the year from 7am to 9pm. Just walk in, no appointment is needed. The centre is near the BBC centre on the London Road island.

The centre will offer assessment and treatment for health conditions that are urgent but non-life threatening such as: Minor burns and scalds Minor head injury with no loss of consciousness Skin infections and rashes Suspected broken bones, sprains and strains (X-ray will be available on-site) Eye infections and minor eye injuries

NHS 111If you need advice or medical treatment quickly, then you should call NHS 111, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By calling NHS 111 you will be assessed, given advice and directed straightaway to the local service that can best meet your needs. An out of hours GP service is available for illnesses and injuries that cannot wait until we reopen after Christmas.

Emergency DepartmentYour local A&E department is at the Queens Medical Centre on Derby Road in the City.

A&E is a vital and busy service, which should only be used in a medical emergency – usually defined as a critical or life threatening situation. If you or somebody close to you needs emergency treatment you should call 999 straight away. A medical emergency might include severe chest pain, stroke or serious accident.

Christmas pharmacy opening hoursPatients can save time in the waiting room by visiting their pharmacist for quick, confidential advice on a range of common illnesses.

Your local pharmacy can help you with more than you might think. Pharmacists offer expert, confidential advice and treatment for many minor health problems.

Pharmacy opening hours in Nottinghamshire can be found on the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk along with information on walk-in centres, urgent care centres or minor injuries units. Patients can type in their postcode on the website to find their nearest services. (add poster with opening times)

Take simple steps to avoid falls this winterFalls are a common, but often overlooked, cause of injury. Around one in three adults over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year. And icy weather can make going outside even more

hazardous.

As well as bad weather other factors can cause a fall including environmental hazards, an underlying medical condition, strength, balance and decline in vision. Prescription medicines can also be a risk

factor. Falls can lead to fractures, and in some cases serious illness or even death, and although everyone is at risk, that risk does increase in the elderly.

There are some simple measures people can take to prevent falls:

Try not to go outside when the weather is icy Remove clutter and secure trailing wires and loose carpets

Use non-slip mats and rugs Do not walking on slippery floors in sock or tights

Wear proper fitting shoes with a good grip.

Regular strength and balance exercise also minimises the chance of falling, such as swimming, gardening and tai chi.

For more information: www.nhs.uk/conditions/Falls/Pages/Introduction.aspx