With temperatures plummeting and winter approaching, the NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB is sharing five simple ways for local people to look after their health and wellbeing: 

  1. Book your vaccinations – If you’re invited for a vaccination or are part of a group eligible for a vaccination, make sure you get it booked. Whether it is flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal or shingles, now is the time to protect yourself against the worst effects of these illnesses. 
  2. Stock up your medicine cabinet - Be prepared for common medical problems which can happen in winter by keeping some basic medicines at home. This includes paracetamol, indigestion remedies, and plasters that you can buy at your local pharmacy or supermarket. 
  3. Keep up-to-date with your prescriptions - Keep an eye on your supply of repeat prescription medications, and when you’re running low make sure to put your prescription in good time. Remember that when there are bank holidays prescriptions may take slightly longer to order than normal. 
  4. Use 111 online - If you think you need urgent medical help, 111 online can tell you what to do next. You can access it 24 hours a day, seven days a week by visiting 111.nhs.uk.  
  5. Download the NHS app – An incredibly helpful free app to have on your mobile phone, which can help you to order your repeat prescriptions, book appointments, view your health record and much more.  

Carol Anderson, chief nurse at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB, said: “The colder months always bring an increase in seasonal bugs and illnesses, so to help local people to tackle this we are sharing five simple ways for local people to stay well this winter.

“This includes making sure you’ve got a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home.

“My own medicine cabinet at home contains useful items such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, indigestion remedies, and plasters. 

“I would also encourage people to make sure they’ve downloaded the NHS app.

“Easy to access, it contains a wealth of helpful information to help keep you and your family well and can also help you to do things like order repeat prescriptions, book appointments and also view your health records.” 

Find out more about how to stay well this winter via www.cpics.org.uk/well-together