- Winter is the busiest time of the year for the NHS. With the prevalence of Covid-19 and flu, alongside a backlog of elective care cases, this winter is set to be particularly challenging.
- As the lead organisation for the NHS in London, we, working closely with ICB colleagues, have a responsibility to make sure that Londoners are aware of the NHS services and support available to them so they can stay well this winter:
- We are asking stakeholders to share the message that people should call NHS 111 in the first instance when they believe they need urgent medical care.
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- We want to encourage Londoners and parents to seek advice from a pharmacist for minor illnesses and at the first signs of winter illness. This is to avoid urgent and emergency admissions.
- o support efforts to reduce pressures on NHS organisations in the capital, you can help by:
- promoting the use of local pharmacies, NHS 111 and GP practices and how to access the right services at the right time in your communications with constituents, and
- promoting messages about looking after your health and staying well.online forms to contact GP practices when appropriate to do so.
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- promoting the uptake of vaccinations, including the annual flu jab and all of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Please see the next section “Advice for Staying Well this Winter” for key messages to share in your communications.
- We are also asking for your support in communicating key messages about self-care and caring for others in communities. In practice, this means:
- Keeping homes heated to 18c
- Exercising regularly and get daylight
- Checking in on vulnerable neighbours
- Having enough stock of medication so they don't have to go out in colder times
