The NHS in Sussex has issued the following advice to the public to help people stay safe and well during the current poor weather:
- Be prepared - stock up on basic medicine cabinet
stay warm - wear lots of thin layers, heat lounge in daytime and bedroom before bedtime, hot drinks and at least one hot meal per day
- REALLY IMPORTANT - wear strong shoes or boots with grip - slips, trips and falls can result in broken bones - hospitals get inundated with people with broken bones in these slippery conditions
- Look after each other - going to the shops for an elderly neighbour could be a lifeline for some
- Stop things spreading - common winter illnesses like norovirus spread easily - keep hydrated, wash hands regularly and dont visit hospital for 48 hours to prevent spreading virus to vulnerable patients
- If you are worried or need medical advice - call NHS Direct 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhs.uk
- If you need to see a doctor - make an appointment with your GP, or if you need advice about remedies for common winter illnesses - ask your pharmacist
- If you need help out of hours - you should either call your surgery where you will hear an answer phone message telling you how to contact a doctor out of hours, or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 - they will tell you where your nearest NHS Walk-in Centre or GP-led health centre is - these are normally open everyday, all day and into the evening
- If you have injuries that need medical attention but which are not life threatening - you can go to your nearest Minor Injuries Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre - the easiest way to find your nearest centre is by calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47
- A&E is for serious injury or life threatening conditions - it's important we make use of all the other NHS services available to ensure we keep A&E departments available for when we, our friends and loved ones might need them
- By choosing well you will receive the right treatment fast, leaving emergency services to those who need them most.
