Published on: 18 December 2024
The NHS has made a list ahead of Christmas and New Year to help everyone have a good festive time and ease the pressure on its services.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and NHS organisations across the country are facing their busiest time of year.
In the lead up to Christmas and the New Year, the Trust is urging people to make sure they do the following to help themselves and support NHS staff who will be at work over the festive period.
- Order repeat prescriptions now to make sure you have all the medication you need for the weeks ahead – These can take several days for a GP surgery to issue and the shops are busy. Emergency prescriptions can be arranged through the NHS 111 page
- Make sure your medicine cupboard is stocked up – Painkillers, cold and flu remedies, antihistamines, indigestion treatments, anti-diarrhoea tablets and oral rehydration solutions are a good idea alongside bandages, plasters and antiseptic.
- If you have any symptoms of illness, check out www.111.nhs.uk for advice and details of where to seek treatment, if needed. Pharmacies are also excellent source of help and their opening times can be found through the NHS Find A Pharmacy page
- Check your GP surgery opening times ahead of time in case you need help from your doctor during the coming weeks
The Trust is continuing to ask people who feel unwell and plan to visit their friend or family member in hospital to stay away to help reduce illnesses on its wards. It has also asked people who are able to visit to follow rules put in place to help keep patients safe from infections.
Last week, the NHS nationally said its hospitals in England had been hit hard by cases of flu, which had led to a 70% rise in hospital cases during a 7-day period. It is encouraging people invited for their jab to get their vaccination.
Cases of Norovirus, known as the winter vomiting virus, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), have also been on the rise.
Dr Shaz Wahid is Executive Medical Director of the Trust.
He said:
"We want everyone to have a good Christmas and New Year and to stay safe and well. We can all help ourselves by being prepared, thinking carefully about where to get help and seeking advice from NHS 111 or a pharmacy at the first sign of illness or if we have a minor injury.
"Our services are already under a lot of pressure. Our A&Es are ready to help anyone in an emergency, but we need to make sure they are able to look after those who are most unwell or seriously hurt first.
"Our hospitals and community teams will still be caring for patients around the clock and our staff work very hard to make sure their festive period is as comfortable as possible for them. I want to thank everyone who will be at work for the care they offer those who need our help.
"I know they will be grateful that people do their bit to help the NHS over the winter and support each other during the next few weeks in particular."
