| The Street Health roadshow is touring each of Scotland’s cities over a two-week period as part of NHS Scotland’s Get Ready for Winter campaign, which encourages people to self-care where appropriate over the winter months.
Street Health will see pharmacists visit shopping centres in Dundee, Inverness, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling and Glasgow to answer any questions which the public may have on how they can keep themselves and their family healthy in winter.
As colds and flu can’t be treated with antibiotics, Get Ready for Winter encourages people to go direct to their pharmacist for advice on the best over-the-counter remedies.
Pharmacists are health care professionals who can normally be seen without appointment, and can give advice on a whole range of conditions such as coughs, cold sores, acne, thrush, allergies, indigestion and athletes foot — which could save patients waiting for an unnecessary doctor’s appointment.
Attending the Street Health event at the Overgate Shopping Centre in Dundee, local community pharmacist Diane Graham said, “We can provide people with a range of advice on how they can treat minor winter illnesses and self-care.”
Winter health kits, containing a mini thermometer, vapour rub, Vitamin C tablets, a packet of tissues, cough sweets and nasal decongestant, were available along with information leaflets.
The Get Ready for Winter campaign has produced three top tips to help people beat colds and flu this winter:
1 Have a well-stocked medicine cabinet
2 Use your local pharmacy
3 Be prepared. One of the best things you can do is to try and keep fit.
The national Get Ready for Winter campaign has been launched by NHS Scotland in partnership with local health boards, the Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS 24, Scotland’s pharmacists and out-of-hours services.
For further information about keeping well and pharmacy opening times across Scotland, visit www.nhs24.com or call the NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88. |
