Forth Valley residents encouraged to plan ahead this winter

The national ’Healthy Know How’ campaign encourages people to prepare for winter. It provides tips on how to safely manage common winter illnesses at home and provides details of where to access further health advice if you need it.

Winter can be a challenging time for health services. (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

Tips to keep well this winter include:

• Plan ahead if you have prescriptions - order what you need in plenty of time before the holidays.
• Make sure you have some over-the-counter remedies at home incase you get any common winter illnesses.
• Know how to check your symptoms if you do become unwell. You can use the NHS Inform website to do this through its self-help guides and symptom checkers.
• Visit the Winter Zone on NHS Forth Valley’s website for details of local health services and support over the winter period.

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Andrew Murray, NHS Forth Valley’s medical director, said: “Winter is always a challenging time for health services, however, by planning ahead and taking a few simple steps in the run up to the festive period, we can all do our bit to help support the NHS at this busy time of year.

You can check your symptoms online if you are unwell. (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

“If you or a family member take’s prescribed medication, make sure there is enough medication to last over the festive holidays. If you need more, please order in plenty of time to ensure your GP surgery and pharmacy have time to organise the prescription, and don’t forget to pick it up before the start of the holidays.”

If you do become unwell during the festive period and require assistance, you can visit the NHS Inform website or call their helpline on 0800224488.