Stay well this winter

We all feel the effects of cold winter weather but it can be even more harmful for people with long-term ill-health or people aged 65 plus. 

The NHS campaign - how to stay well in winter  - gives you information about how to prepare for winter and keep common winter illnesses at bay, so that you don’t need to go to hospital. 

Top tips for a healthy winter 

• Don’t put off getting the flu vaccination. If you’re eligible get it now. It’s free because you need it. Ask your doctor or see the NHS's flu page for advice about trating flu and the how to get a flu vaccine. 
• Check your medicine cabinet - Ask your pharmacist what medicines should be in your cabinet to help get you and your family through the winter season.
• If you start to feel unwell, even if it is just a cough or cold, don’t wait until it gets more serious, get help from your pharmacist. The sooner you get advice the better.
• It is important to keep warm in winter – both inside and outdoors as it can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems. Heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F), if you can, you might prefer your living room to be slightly warmer.
• Get financial support. There are grants, benefits and sources of advice available to make your home more energy efficient or help with bills. This includes our Energy advice pages. 
• If you’ve been prescribed antibiotics or other medication, don’t forget to pick up your prescription before the Christmas holidays start.  Many GPs and pharmacies will close over the holidays.
• If you do need help over the holiday period when your GP surgery or pharmacy is closed, call NHS 111 or visit www.nhs.uk who can direct you to a local service that is open. 
  
• Look out for those that might need extra help over winter. 
• Find out more information on how to stay well in winter on the NHS website. 

Where to go for the right medical care  

• 999 - For life threatening emergencies call 999
• Call 111 - If you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency, call NHS 111 for clinical advice, assessment and for direction to the most appropriate services for treatment.
• GP, Pharmacy, www.nhs.uk - For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist. You can also access NHS advice at www.nhs.uk

For more information and advice visit www.nhs.uk/staywell

Advice and support

• The UK Health Security Agency has published Top tips for keeping warm and well this winter, which covers keeping warm, getting financial support, looking after yourself, and preparing your home. 
• The government's Find ways to save energy in your home has recommendations for home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm. This page also includes links to other schems and payments. 
• Changes to our bodies as we get older mean that cold weather and winter bugs affect us more than they used to. Age UK has published tips on How to keep warm and healthy in winter. 

Winter Ready

To help you get winter ready, we have pulled together a wide range of advice and useful partner links. Please see our winter ready pages.