Haringey (Parliament Politics Magazine) – NHS doctors and healthcare professionals in Haringey launch a ‘winter wellness’ campaign to help residents prepare for colder months and stay healthy.
The North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB) is urging residents of Enfield to safeguard themselves and their loved ones from seasonal diseases in light of recent data showing sharp rises in the number of hospital admissions for flu and unvaccinated individuals.
The number of those at highest risk, such as those with chronic illnesses, those over 65, and those who are unvaccinated, has increased by 37%, according to the most recent data.
In the meantime, hospital emergency rooms saw a 48% rise in flu admissions, demonstrating how many people are getting really sick from the virus.
A similar trend, according to health officials, would put thousands of citizens who are already at risk of serious sickness and hospitalization this winter.
The winter wellness program is being delivered by the local NHS, which includes hospital trusts, general practitioners, community pharmacists, local councils, and voluntary sector partners in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, and Islington.
The campaign will advertise vaccination clinics, offer tips on how to keep healthy during winter, and direct people to the best NHS service in the event that they get sick.
In order to receive the treatment they require this winter, it promotes important messages, including the necessity for people to be vaccinated and to know the best local health care choices, such as community pharmacies, NHS 111, general practitioners, or urgent care centers.
Dr Konstantinos Tzanidakis, from Morris House Group Practice in Haringey, says the campaign also aims to reach parents.
“There was a big increase in the numbers of children and young people who were brought to hospital emergency departments last year, particularly with flu symptoms,”
she explains.
“Nearly a quarter of all visits were by children and young people. Many of those didn’t require treatment in hospital but care at home with the right medical advice.
We want parents to feel confident and comfortable about their local options – whether that’s their GP evening or weekend appointments, visiting their local pharmacy or using NHS 111.”
National charities are adding their voices to the local push.
One of the groups with the lowest flu vaccine uptake (just 20%) is those adults aged under 50 with heart disease. Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse at British Heart Foundation (BHF), says:
“The flu causes stress to your body which can affect your blood pressure, heart rate and how your heart functions. If you live with cardiovascular disease, you’re more at risk of getting seriously ill with the flu.
Getting a flu jab takes only five minutes and it can protect you from potentially serious health complications. If you have questions or concerns about having the flu jab, speak to your doctor or nurse.”
Emma Rubach, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, adds:
“The drop in the number of people who are getting the flu vaccine, despite being eligible for it, is worrying. Respiratory illness is the leading cause of hospital admissions in winter.
For people living with a lung condition, exposure to flu and other respiratory infections can lead to life-threatening asthma attacks and exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”
How can local GP practices join the Winter Wellness campaign?
This includes accessible messaging and materials, for example: website content, newsletter articles, social media posts, and digital images on websites that GP practices can share with their patients to promote flu vaccinations, COVID-19 boosters, and advice about looking after their health this winter.
Practices may also display images and digital screens in their waiting rooms and pharmacies, to promote the campaign messaging visually.
GPs are also encouraged to highlight winter wellness in their patient contacts and offer advice on how to stay warm, healthy, and know when to seek medical care.