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Get advice before illness worsens over holidays




Column by Sharon Kidd, patient experience and PALS manager

As we approach Christmas and we’re rushing around to get cards written, presents wrapped and the spuds peeled, it’s easy to forget to look after yourself.

While none of us want to come down with anything or get ill over the festive period, it’s important to know what to do and where to go if you do need help.

At the first sign of a winter illness, even if it’s just a bad cough or cold and you’re worried, get advice from your pharmacist, before it gets more serious. This is often the best and quickest way to help you recover and get back to normal. If you can’t go yourself, the advice is to ask someone to go for you or have a chat with the pharmacist over the phone.

We know some visits to our A&Es and urgent care services are simply to get repeat medications, so please save yourself the stress and wait by making sure you keep topped up with any repeat prescriptions.

If you do become unwell and need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency, call NHS 111 for clinical advice, assessment and for direction to the most appropriate services for treatment. This might not necessarily mean a trip to A&E, but they will find the best way to get you back on your feet.

For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist. You can also use the new ASAPLincs website and app that will help diagnose your symptoms or condition and advise on the most suitable place to go for your care - www.asaplincs.nhs.uk.

However you’re spending the next couple of weeks, look after yourself and have a great time.

On behalf of everyone here at Grantham and District Hospital, I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2019!



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