NHS warning of cold snap

HEALTH bosses have issued a cold weather warning as the North West experiences its first cold snap of the winter.
NHS chiefs are advising people to make sure they stock up on some medicine cabinet essentials.
Snow is forecast for some parts of the region by the weekend, which could result in some people being stuck at home and NHS hospitals dealing with high numbers of people injured due to slips, trips and falls.
Dr Mike Cheshire is Medical Director for NHS North West and a Consultant based at Central Manchester Foundation Hospitals NHS Trust.
He said: “Making sure you stock up on some essentials that can help you and your family to cope with common complaints such as colds, coughs, stomach upsets, flu and earache, will mean that you are better prepared. It will also mean that A&E, 999 and GP services have more time to deal with serious and life-threatening conditions, such as heart-attacks, strokes, breathing problems and serious accidents.
“There is a lot that people can do to self-care for common complaints, without needing to go to a GP. The majority of people will begin to feel better within three to four days. Your local high-street chemist can give you advice on the best medicines to take for you and your family. So it is worth talking to them about medicine cabinet essentials. Antibiotics have no effect on conditions such as coughs, colds, flu or stomach upsets.
“Always read the instructions for any medicines and do not take more than the recommended dose. If your symptoms suddenly deteriorate or fail to improve over a week contact your GP.”
Dr Cheshire added: “We need people to ask themselves, are they seriously ill or do they simply have an uncomfortable but common complaint.”