How can I help myself and others?
Help us help you and follow our guide to staying well and our health services in Lincolnshire. Some common minor illnesses such as aches, pains, coughs, and colds can be treated in the comfort of your own home. So make sure to stock up on your medicine cabinet with over-the-counter remedies.
See below for other ways you can stay well and care for yourself or others.
Stay strong with seasonal vaccines
There are some things you can do to help yourself stay well in winter. This includes getting your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
It’s important to get your winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if you’re eligible. Getting vaccinated every year will top up your protection and reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms.
Visit Grab a Jab in Lincolnshire.
Keeping warm
It is important to keep warm in winter both inside and outdoors. Keeping warm can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems.
- Stay Warm First – Wear multiple thin layers of clothing. Ensure the room you use most often is at least 18°C. Check radiators to confirm they’re working properly. Keep doors closed to trap heat, close curtains, and seal any drafts with a towel or similar material.
- Heading Outdoors? – Wear shoes with good grip to prevent slips on icy or slippery surfaces. Keep your extremities warm by wearing gloves, socks, a hat, and a scarf. If needed, visit a charity shop for winter clothing from last year. Don’t forget a coat!
- Eat Well and Stay Hydrated – Make sure to have at least one hot meal a day and enjoy regular warm drinks. When visiting vulnerable people, offer them a hot drink to stay warm.
- Driving? – For short trips, your car may not heat up fully, so bring a flask with hot drinks. Tune in to travel reports, keep your phone charged, ensure you have enough petrol, and drive slowly for safety.
- Keep Moving – Stay active by changing position and moving regularly to maintain your body temperature.
- Fire Safety – Avoid using open flames, ovens, or barbecues for heating, as they can cause fire or carbon monoxide risks. Use a fire guard for open fires and never leave candles or burners unattended, especially with children around.
For cost of living support visit: Cost of Living Support – Lincolnshire ICB.
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Check and stock your medicine cabinet
Whilst you’re out, why not also think about stocking up on medicine cabinet essentials to make sure you’re prepared to self-care?
People often turn up at hospitals with minor illnesses and injuries that could often be better treated more quickly elsewhere, or at home.
Your local pharmacist can offer you free health advice at any time, and no appointment is necessary. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses and answer questions about prescribed and over the counter medicines.
All year round, pharmacists can also advise on healthy eating, obesity and giving up smoking and have private areas where you can talk in confidence.
Check your medicine cabinet and make sure you have the following basics which can all be bought from your local pharmacy or supermarket:
- Painkillers
- Cold and flu remedies
- Anti-diarrhoea medicine
- Oral rehydration salts
- Indigestion remedies
- Plasters
- Bandages
- A thermometer
- Tissues
If you are already taking other medication, check first with your pharmacist to make sure the medicines are right for you.
Check any medicines you already have to make sure they are still okay to use. If any medicines are past their use-by date, don’t take them and return them to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.
By being prepared to self-care and stocking up on medicine cabinet essentials which can readily be bought from your local pharmacy and supermarket, a lot of people could treat minor illnesses at home, avoiding unnecessary trips to the doctor.
Hand washing
Washing your hands with soap and water is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from catching viruses and help reduce the pressures on healthcare services.
Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them spreading to other people and objects and can help stop the spread of common winter infections. Hand washing is particularly important when you’re visiting someone in hospital or another healthcare setting.
If you do not have immediate access to soap and water, then use alcohol-based hand sanitiser. For more information go to: www.nhs.uk/handwashing.
Still worried? You can get help and advice
You can get help and advice from:
- A pharmacy – pharmacies can give treatment and advice for a range of minor illnesses and can tell you if you need to see a doctor
- Your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP online or over the phone, or go in for an appointment if they think you need to
- NHS 111 – go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do
- Download the NHS App – view your GP health record, book and manage appointments, order repeat prescriptions and use NHS 111.
Help for older relatives and friends
Let’s come together and look out for each other, there are plenty of simple, practical things we can do to help each other.
Repeat prescriptions – make sure they get their repeat prescriptions. For those with long-term health problems, taking daily medication is an important part of their treatment, and many are at risk of suffering serious complications, illnesses or hospital stays if medical supplies run out.
If your elderly relative or friend becomes unwell over a bank holiday period or need medical advice when your GP surgery is closed, please Think pharmacy first. GP out-of-hours services can also be accessed through NHS 111 online: Get help for your symptoms – NHS 111 or by calling NHS 111 free of charge.
Make sure they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations – For more information please visit: Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccinations in Lincolnshire.
Ask if they have everything they need – Some people might struggle to get the essentials they need. Why not get extra items for them on your shop, or help with an online shop.
Make sure they attend their GP appointments – It is really important that people attend their scheduled healthcare appointments.
Are they currently in hospital or being discharged from hospital? – visit: Let’s get you home to what matters to you – Lincolnshire ICB for support and guidance.
Help with an unwell child
Seeing your child unwell can sometimes be worrying, but your health visitor, practice nurse, nurse practitioner, GP and pharmacist can all give you advice on how to treat your child’s illness.
The GP can treat your child and prescribe medicines. Some health visitors, nurses and pharmacists can also diagnose illness and prescribe medicines for your child.
If your child is ill, you can try your local pharmacy first. They’ll tell you if your child needs to see a GP. If your child has signs of serious illness, contact your GP surgery directly or take them straight to the A&E department of your local hospital.
Most GP surgeries are very supportive towards parents of small children. Some will fit babies into surgeries without an appointment or see them at the beginning of surgery hours. Many GPs will also give advice over the phone.
If you find it difficult to contact your doctor or get to the surgery, you can call NHS 111 for medical advice, 24 hours a day.