COUNTY GPs are encouraging people to look out for their elderly and vulnerable friends and relatives this winter.
Doctors have issued advice to help older people and those with long-term health conditions who are particularly susceptible to illness and isolation at this time of year.
Residents can drop in to see them and check if they are well at least once a week, encourage them to visit their local pharmacist if they are feeling unwell and ask if they need any prescriptions or GP appointments.
When pharmacies are closed, people are advised to call 111 if they feel unwell, they should make sure they are eating well, their home is heated to at least 18°C to 21°C throughout the winter and all heating and cooking appliances are safety checked.
Dr Carl Ellson, Strategic Clinical Lead for the three Worcestershire CCGs, said: “Winter is a time when communities should come together to support people in need and encourage them to seek medical assistance before illness becomes so serious they need to be admitted to hospital.
“All too often we see elderly and vulnerable people having to be treated in hospital for lengthy periods with symptoms that might not have become so serious and could have been managed effectively at home if they’d only sought help sooner.
“If you are aged over 75 or you are living with a long-term medical condition such as a respiratory illness, get help straight away.
“Speak to your local pharmacist first and they’ll either recommend an over-the-counter medicine to alleviate your symptoms, or tell you if you need to see your GP.”
Visit www.nhs.uk/staywell for more information.
