When You're Ill, Know who to turn to

WHEN YOU’RE ILL

KNOW WHO TO TURN TO

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s winter guide to choosing the right service for your condition

Winter time is here again

In the winter months the risk of catching certain illnesses increases. Colds, asthma, sore throats and flu are just some of the health conditions that are more common at this time of year.

In winter too there are always more deaths than in any other season.

Last year the number of winter deaths in Scotland was at its highest in 15 years.

Between December 2014 and March 2015, 22,011 deaths were registered in Scotland – a rise of more than 3,000 on the year before.

While in many cases of winter mortality, flu will not be the main cause of death, it can aggravate underlying long-term conditions, which may have a significant 2 – www.nhsggc.org.uk

impact on the sick and elderly.

This is why it is crucial that those with underlying health conditions, those who are pregnant or are older than 65 get a free flu vaccination.

There are also other precautions that we can all take to stay as healthy as possible. With a little preparation, and by following some simple suggestions, we can help ourselves to stay safe and well.

We have been working hard to ensure that we can respond to the extra demands on our hospitals and community teams and continue to treat all our patients quickly and effectively.

So if you’re unfortunate enough to become unwell this winter you can be assured that we’re doing all we can to be prepared too.

This brochure has been prepared to give you lots of tips on how to stay well this winter and protect yourself against the season’s biggest illnesses, including norovirus, sore throat and colds.

Unsurprisingly, winter is also a time of extra pressure on the NHS and it is crucial our NHS prepares thoroughly for this time.

The River Kelvin, Glasgow

Fit for winter Some health problems are triggered or worsened by cold weather.

Here’s how to help your body deal with cold weather ailments.

Colds You can help prevent colds by washing your hands regularly. This destroys bugs that you may have picked up from touching surfaces used by other people, such as light switches and door handles.

It’s also important to keep the house and any household items such as cups, glasses and towels clean, especially if someone in your house is ill.

Sore throat Sore throats are common in winter and are almost always caused by viral infections.

There’s some evidence that changes in temperature, such as going from a warm, centrally heated room to the icy outdoors, can also affect the throat.

Top tip: One quick and easy remedy for a sore throat is to gargle with warm salty water.

It won’t heal the infection, but it has

anti-inflammatory properties and can have a soothing effect. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a glass of part-cooled boiled water.

Norovirus One of the most common stomach bugs in the UK, it strikes young and old, and places extra demand on the NHS. The virus is extremely infectious and causes vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. And because the virus continually changes, lasting immunity can’t be developed and we are at risk of catching it more than once during the season.

There is no specific treatment for norovirus.

The best course of action is to stay at home and drink plenty of water to ensure you remain hydrated.

People should also adhere to strict hand-washing techniques to reduce the spread of the virus.

Don’t go to see your GP – norovirus is highly contagious and there’s nothing your GP can do while you have it.

Asthma Cold air is a major trigger of asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. People with asthma should be

especially careful in winter.

Top tip: Stay indoors on very cold, windy days.

If you do go out, wear a scarf over your nose and mouth. Be extra vigilant about taking your regular medications, and keep rescue inhalers close by.

Heart attacks Heart attacks are more common in winter.

This may be because cold snaps increase blood pressure and put more strain on the heart. Your heart also has to work harder to maintain body heat when it’s cold.

Top tip: Stay warm in your home. Wrap up warm when you go out and wear a hat, scarf and gloves.

Flu Flu is a major killer of vulnerable people.

The main symptoms of flu include a high temperature, shivering and feverishness, weakness, aching muscles, nausea and headache. Flu usually comes on more suddenly than a cold and you are more likely to want to stay in bed.

If you get the symptoms of flu you should drink plenty and rest. Treat the symptoms as for colds. See your doctor if you become unusually short of breath, cough up blood or large amounts of yellow or green phlegm, or have a prolonged high fever (over 38.5C in adults or 39C in children).

Keep safe and warm this winter Every winter thousands of A&E visits and hospital admissions result from fractures and sprains caused by slips and accidents on the snow and ice.

Winter can present treacherous conditions for us all but the risk of falls increases dramatically as we get older… and the consequences of a fracture become that bit more significant.

There’s a lot we can all do to keep ourselves and others safer this winter – and out of hospital!

Wear a hat, flat shoes or boots with non-slip soles and use hand rails whenever possible when the conditions are very wintry.

Take it slowly and allow yourself

extra time to get from A to B, so you don’t have to make a last minute dash to get somewhere.

Dress for warmth (several thin layers are better than one thick one) and stay active.

Make sure you have supplies of medicines and food in your home so that if the weather is treacherous you can avoid going out. If you have neighbours who are elderly, offer to pop to the shops for them.

It’s also important to stay warm and well nourished when you’re at home.

Being cold increases the chance of serious health problems, particularly for older people.

Keep food cupboards stocked and take plenty of hot drinks – maybe make up a flask for night-time. Keep at least two rooms warm (21degrees Centigrade is ideal), keep windows closed and close curtains early. www.nhsggc.org.uk – 3

Health advice and care on your high street For many of us a pharmacist is where you go to get medicines prescribed by your doctor.

What people don’t realise is that your local pharmacy offers a wide range of services to help with health complaints... often without an appointment.

And by making the most of your local pharmacist this winter you may not only save yourself time, but you’ll also help doctors spend more time with seriously ill patients.

Pharmacists offer free expert

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advice on a wide range of health issues, support for self-care and medicines to treat common complaints such as coughs and colds, flu, sore throats, earache, backache, stomach upsets and cuts and grazes.

They also offer a Minor Ailment Service where patients can have a confidential consultation about a problem, without an appointment, and get advice or medicine without having to see a GP. The pharmacist can also refer patients to another healthcare practitioner where appropriate.

The service is available to young people, those over 60 and those

on Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.

Pharmacies also supply a wide range of over the counter medicines and vitamins which can help people fight off common winter coughs and colds.

Some also offer other services including palliative care and needles exchange.

So if you become unwell this winter, remember your local pharmacy. There’s a lot that they can help with.

Pharmacists offer free expert advice on a wide range of health issues

Out-of-hours team ready to pay a house call

Out of hours GPs gear up for rush

When your GP surgery is closed and you can’t wait until the morning for an appointment, there’s a team of doctors and nurses on hand that can see you urgently.

The GP Out of Hours service in Greater Glasgow and Clyde is available all year round to treat conditions which are

not life-threatening but need to be attended to before surgeries re-open.

The service plays a vital role in managing winter pressures and in ensuring patients receive urgent care without making an unnecessary trip to A&E. The GPs are based in one of nine primary care emergency centres throughout Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Patients are referred to the centres after phoning NHS 24 on 111.

For patients who are too ill to come to a centre, a team are on hand to pay a house call. The service runs a fleet of cars fitted with a computer system which lets doctors access patient records in the vehicle while drivers get them safely to the visit.

After recent bad winters, the fleet includes sixteen vehicles to make sure our out-of-hours doctors can stay on the road in even the worst weather conditions.

If you become unwell when your GP surgery is closed with a non-life threatening illness and your condition can’t wait until your surgery re-opens, contact the GP out-of-hours service by calling NHS 24 on 111.

Please do not attend the out-of-hours service without first calling 111.

Please note that the out-of-hours centre based at the New Victoria Hospital is NOT an A&E department.

The A&E department in the old Victoria Infirmary closed in May 2015.

If you have a serious injury or emergency medical problem and you live in the area surrounding the New Victoria Hospital you should go to the A&E Department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

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KNOW WHERE TO TURN Within NHSGGC there are five emergency departments that remain open all year round to treat patients who have a serious injury or medical emergency.

They are at: the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital; Royal Hospital for Children; Glasgow Royal Infirmary; the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley; and, Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock.

It is important that you only use A&E for serious injuries and major emergencies.

For everything else there are local hospital based Minor Injury Units, GP services (including out of hours via NHS24) and your local pharmacy.

If you think it is an emergency phone 999.

For minor injuries such cuts (including ones that need stitches), broken bones, sprains and minor burns go to one of our locally based Minor Injury Units (MIUs). We have four dedicated MIUs in NHSGGC. They are at: New Stobhill Hospital; New Victoria Hospital; West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital at Yorkhill; and the Vale of Leven Hospital.

These units open between 9am – 9pm every day of the year. Outwith these times you should go to your local emergency department.

There are also dedicated areas to treat minor injuries within each of the five emergency departments.

If you have a minor illness such as stomach upsets, coughs, running a high temperature then self-care, pharmacy or your GP is the answer, You should not go to an MIU for treatment. An MIU does not deal with illnesses.

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TO IN AN EMERGENCY

The emergency departments of the Royal Hospital for Children, the RAH in Paisley and Inverclyde Royal Hospital are open all year round to treat children with a medical emergency or serious injury.

MAJOR EMERGENCY If your child is seriously injured or becomes so unwell that you think it is an emergency you should dial 999. The Scottish Ambulance Service will take your child to the new Royal Hospital for Children or if you live in Clyde to the Royal Alexandra Hospital or Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

MINOR INJURY If your child has a minor injury such as a cut (including one that may require stitches) a minor burn or a broken bone there are a range of options for speedy treatment depending on his or her age.

5 to 15-year-olds: Go to the nearest Minor Injury Unit. These are located at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock or the Vale of Leven Minor Injury Unit (both A&Es have a dedicated area to treat minor injuries).

MINOR ILLNESS 0-15 YEARS: If it is a minor illness such as stomach upsets, coughs, running a high temperature then self-care, pharmacy or your GP is the answer.

If your child is unwell, you should NOT take them to an MIU for treatment. An MIU does not deal with illnesses.

To find your nearest emergency department or minor injuries unit simply go visit www.nhsggc.org.uk and enter your postcode on the Find A section.

IF YOU LIVE IN GREATER GLASGOW Under 1-year-olds: Go to the Royal Hospital for Children emergency department.

1 to 5-year-olds: Go to either the Royal Hospital for Children emergency department or Glasgow Royal Infirmary emergency department.

5 to 15-year-olds: Go to the nearest Minor Injury Unit. These are located at New Stobhill Hospital, New Victoria Hospital and West Glasgow Minor Injury Unit located at former Yorkhill Hospital. You can also attend either the new Royal Hospital for Children emergency department in Govan or Glasgow Royal Infirmary emergency department (both also have a dedicated area to treat minor injuries).

IF YOU LIVE IN THE CLYDE AREA Under 1-year-olds: Go to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

1 to 5-year-olds: Go to either the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock or the Vale of Leven Minor Injury Unit.

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