Stay Well this Winter

Dear Patients,

We know that a lot of our patients can be worried about keeping well over the winter months. We’ve included some information here which we hope will be of help to you and your family over the next few months.

You can always get help and medical advice from 111 and the 111 website 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: https://111.nhs.uk/

You can contact us either by phoning 01522 751 717 or accessing askmyGP via the practice website: https://www.nettlehammedical.co.uk/

Community pharmacies are also a very helpful source of support with winter bugs or when you’re feeling generally unwell. They’ll also tell you when you should be contacting the surgery if they can’t help.

Stay strong with vaccinations

You can still have your flu jab until 31^st March each year, so it’s not too late. Similarly, if you are over 65 you are eligible for a one off pneumococcal vaccination (which can reduce your chance of getting pneumonia). We recommend all the national vaccination campaigns, so if you’re not sure whether you need any vaccinations, please do contact reception.

Help with your mental health

We are fortunate in Lincolnshire to have access to very supportive mental health services. If you need to speak to someone there is a 24/7 counselling helpline on 0800 001 4331, again open 365 days a year. If you need more help with your mental health, you can access talking therapies by calling 0303 123 4000 or emailing [email protected]

Helping you live confidently, independently, and safely in your own home

The Wellbeing Lincs service, funded by Lincolnshire County Council, offers support and guidance as well as telecare, aids, and adaptations to enable you to live safely in your own home. You can contact them on 01522 782 140 or visit https://www.wellbeinglincs.org/

Improving your lifestyle

We know that whatever exercise you can manage has a very positive effect on overall wellbeing as well as reducing your risk of falls and developing osteoporosis. Similarly, stopping smoking, reducing the amount of alcohol you drink (if you drink above 14 units per week), or losing weight (if you are overweight or obese) also helps. You can get support from OneYou Lincolnshire with all these traditional “New Year’s Resolutions”. They are very much tailored to your individual needs and have a range of options to support you. Just visit https://www.oneyoulincolnshire.org.uk/ or phone 01522 705 162.

Don’t know where to start?

If you know you don’t feel safe at home, or struggle with your health, then we can refer you to our local Social Prescribing link worker. They can talk through with you the challenges you face, any barriers to making changes, and work with you to overcome them. They utilise a range of different providers and organisations in the NHS, social services and the charitable sector to help you so are extremely flexible. If you’d like to be referred, just contact reception via askmyGP or phoning 01522 751717.

Support for carers

If you look after someone with longterm medical or care needs (or you have someone who looks after you), you can access support from Carers UK on 0808 808 7777 or [email protected]

You can also request a Carer’s Assessment from the County Council Social Care department on 01522 782 155.

Support with medication

If you feel you’ve lost control over your medication – you don’t know what they’re for, or how to take it, then speak to your local community pharmacist who can talk you through them and see if they can find ways to support you.

If you are a dispensing patient of ours, want to reduce your medication or are suffering from side effects, then you can book a review appointment with one of the surgery’s clinical pharmacists. Just contact reception via askmyGP or 01522 751 717.

Want to know more?

You can access this letter and all the links on the practice website:

http://www.nettlehammedical.co.uk

The NHS also has a website dedicated to keeping well this winter:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/

You can download this letter here: