The general public in Berkshire is being urged to do what they can to help ease the burden on NHS services this winter.

As the weather gets colder, NHS services inevitably get busier.

All NHS organisations have been planning for this winter and have been sharing and implementing each other’s best practice in a bid to reduce the strain as much as possible.

Residents have been urged to prepare a personal winter health and care plan in case you become unwell with a cough, cold, or the flu.

NHS health bosses have shared some simple steps residents can take to ensure they keep protected.

  • Having a free NHS flu vaccination if you are eligible
  • Getting help early before your condition worsens
  • Getting repeat prescriptions in plenty of time before bank holidays
  • Finding out where your local minor injuries unit is located
  • Seeking advice from your local pharmacist
  •  Stocking up on over-the-counter cough and cold remedies
  • Stocking up on winter food supplies
  •  Getting your boiler serviced
  • Keeping your main room at home heated to 18C
  • Having a list of emergency phone numbers handy by your phone
  • Keeping an eye on elderly or frail friends, neighbours and relatives

Interim director of primary care at Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board Dr Abid Irfan said: “It is critical that we prevent people’s health suffering from cold temperatures and winter weather by having a personal winter plan to ensure we are prepared when we start to feel unwell with a cough, cold or flu.

"Having a personal winter plan might include making sure you have cold and flu medicines ready at home just in case you start to feel ill and that you have the prescriptions you need especially over Christmas and New Year."

Patients have also been urged to get the flu jab, especialy for people over 65, those with long-term health conditions like diabetes, asmtha and pregnant women or those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 and children.

If you do fall ill, advice from your local pharmacist or NHS 111 online can help.

People with care responsibilities, whether for family members, professionally or as a volunteer, should consult the Cold Weather Plan for England for a range of useful advice www.gov.uk/government/publications/cold-weather-plan-cwp-for-england.

Public Health England have published ‘Keep Warm Keep Well advice on staying well in cold weather and covers issues such as financial help, healthy lifestyle, flu jabs and heating.