Stay Well This Christmas

Prepare for Bank Holidays

Remember to prepare for different opening hours over the festive period. Check opening times and add ordering and collecting repeat prescriptions to your to-do list.

Don’t miss appointments

It’s a busy time of year so we completely understand that people can’t always make their appointment.

Patients, or those supporting them, are urged to contact their GP Surgery as early as possible when they know they won’t be attending.

Reduce the risk of falls

Find advice and tips on how to mitigate the risk of falls.

• Make home a safe haven – remove trip risks
• Stay Strong, Stay Steady – regular exercise can enhance stability
• Medication check – check your prescription is not putting you at risk of a fall
• Slip proof your step – Wear good grip shoes and fitted, comfy slippers
• Don’t keep falls a secret – Share your experiences to get the help you need
• Illuminate your life – Good lighting is crucial to navigate your home safely
• Preserve your balance – Regular vision and hearing tests contribute to maintaining good balance

Plan your ongoing care and support after a stay in hospital

Understand the process of leaving hospital and the other services that are available to provide support in the community.

Get Vaccinated

Getting vaccinated is important to help keep you, your family and everyone around you safe and well.

Practice good hand hygiene

Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses such as food poisoning and viruses such as flu and Covid-19.

Get to the right care, at the right time

Get to the help you need by calling 111 and using 111 online or via the NHS App.

Keep warm and well

There are lots of welcoming spaces across BSW providing a warm and friendly place for people to go if they need support or help through the cost of living crisis.

Open for residents to spend time, meet people, feel safe and offer warmth in cold weather, these spaces provide somewhere to find information about what is going on in your neighbourhood and to feel welcomed.

Keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet

Be prepared for common illnesses and injuries by keeping your medicine cabinet stocked with these items all year round.

Look after your mental health

Christmas can be a tough time for many, but you don’t have to face it alone.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, there are helpful resources to help you navigate this season.

To help your wellbeing this Christmas, try to connect with people and nature, keep active, try and learn a new skill, help others and focus on the present moment.

Keep your baby safe over the festive season

If you are going out for the night and have someone looking after your baby plan a safe space for your baby to sleep and check the person putting them in the cot knows about safe sleep position.

If you are going away remember to plan your baby’s safe sleep space.

Remember co-sleeping has additional risks, particularly if you have drunk any alcohol, smoked cigarettes, used drugs or medication which makes you less aware or had a low-birth-weight / premature baby. Put your baby in their cot/ crib to sleep.

Don’t fall asleep on the sofa with your baby, pop them in their cot/ crib.

Get to the right health care, at the right time

The NHS is always here to help you – but please use services wisely to make sure you can get the most appropriate support and help us to help you.