Reduce pressure on the ED by staying well this winter

DR NICK BAKER Chief Medical Officer/ Paediatrician for Te Whatu OraNelson Marlborough

Every winter, New Zealand sees an increase in coughs, colds and other respiratory illnesses such as asthma and flu. This happens as the weather cools off letting infectious droplets spread more easily and people gather closer together.

So, we must prepare for as increase in demand for healthcare services and do everything we can to prevent illnesses over the winter months.

Many minor illnesses get better by themselves. If you become unwell, stay and home, take a RAT test to check for COVID-19, and rest.

Staying home if you’re sick and keeping away from others, especially people vulnerable to infections, helps prevent the spread of infection.

Flu can be a very serious illness for the very young, for older people, and for anyone who has a condition that makes it harder to cough and breathe easily.

As people are mixing and gathering at normal pre-COVID-19 levels, there is a high risk that the 2023 flu season could be one of the worst experienced in many years.

If you are sick, or if you’re concerned about getting sick, we recommend you limit mixing with others and wear a mask. Good ventilation dilutes and removes the infectious droplets from the air we breathe. So fresh air is your friend.

It is important to avoid overcrowding and we recommend taking actions that increase air flow such as opening windows, as the weather allows, in places where people gather.

Autumn is often a time when people get a flare up of chest problems and need to look at their needs for medications, particularly for asthma preven tors.

For those with a chronic condi tion it is better to get help early and not wait until you or your tamariki are very unwell. Another important step to save yourself pain and ease burden on health services is knowing that up to 90% of injuries can be pre vented and many injuries happen in your own home.

Now is a good time to do a home safety check before winter to re duce trips and falls and protect our tamariki.

DIY tasks around the house and garden demand proper safety gear (safety glasses, dust masks, etc), and careful planning especially if they involve ladders, chainsaws, mowers or power tools. Check https://www.acc.co.nz/ preventing-injury/staying-safe-inyour-home/ for more.

Vaccination against flu is your first line of defence, reducing risks of severe illness for you and it helps stop the spread of illnesses around your community.

The flu jab is free for people aged 65 years and over, Māori and Pacific people aged 55 years and over, pregnant people, and people who have long-term conditions like diabetes, asthma, or heart conditions, children aged 6 months to 12 years old, and people with mental health and addiction issues.

Make sure your tamariki have all the other vaccines they need to protect them. We are especially concerned about the risks of outbreaks of measles and whooping cough this winter – ask your healthcare provider about the MMR vaccine and the pertussis vaccine.

Having COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, will protect worst effects of COVID-19. co.nz Call an ambulance in cases of a life or limb-threatening emergency.

From 1 April 2023, an additional Covid-19 bivalent booster is also available. This is a vaccine adapted to provide better protection against some of the newer strains of Covid-19.

All New Zealanders 30 and over can also access this booster as long as it’s been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test. People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 will also be able to receive an additional booster, regardless of how many doses they’ve previously had.

If you cannot remember what you have had check with https://mycovidrecord.health.nz/ or discuss with your health professional. If you do get sick this winter, you can access care in your community, close to your home when you need it.

Advice and care is always available at any time of the day or night by calling Healthline (0800 611 116). Pharmacies can provide advice and care for minor ailments, or if you are unsure where to get help.

Some GPs offer telehealth consults as well as in-practice consults, and some also offer after hours services.

Urgent care clinics are for urgent medical care or after-hours care.

The Marlborough Urgent Care Centre is open daily 8AM to 8PM and is located next to Wairau Hospital.

The Nelson Medical and Injury Centre is open daily 8AM to 10PM and is located next to Nelson Hospital. Learn more and check fees on www.healthpoint.

Sometimes hospital visits are required if people get very sick.

The Nelson and Wairau Hospital Emergency Departments are always available for people who are very unwell. We ask that you save the ED for those who need them for emergency care.

Book your flu and COVID-19 vaccines now at www.BookMyVaccine.co.nz, call Healthline on 0800 28 29 26, or contact your GP, pharmacy or healthcare provider.