Region-wide NHS winter wellness campaign

The NHS in Swindon and across the South West is urging people to Stay Well This Winter by doing some simple things.

With A&E and ambulance demand already high and flu levels rising, the aim is to help everyone keep themselves – and their loved ones – fit and healthy.
The region-wide campaign, backed by rolling adverts on Greatest Hits and Hits Radio, social media messaging and videos, highlights the benefits of:
- Getting your free jabs for flu and covid if you’re eligible, to help stave off serious respiratory disease
- Getting the NHP App to access your health records, order repeat prescriptions or book appointments with just a few taps of a screen
- Making sure your medicines cabinet is stocked up with painkillers, bandages, indigestion treatment and other remedies for day-to-day complaints
- Staying warm, by wearing extra layers, having hot drinks and knowing what to do if you can’t afford heating or want some company
- Staying hydrated, to help avoid feeling dizzy when you stand up, keep infections at bay and reduce the risk of serious illness
- Removing trip hazards and making sure your slippers fit properly, to minimise the risk of falls
- Staying active despite the cold and wet weather, to improve your physical and mental health and to reduce the risk of falling
- Keeping an eye on family, friends and neighbours, to make sure they’re okay as well
Early backers include Anthony Dunn, an award-winning peer advocate for people with learning disabilities, and former Gloucestershire wicketkeeper Andy Brassington, whose Walkers and Talkers groups are now expanding across the country.
There is a starring role for Judith Brown, a Trustee with Age UK in Bristol, who is fronting a series of short social media clips, Stay Well with Judith.
Dr Kheelna Bavalia, Medical Director for NHS England in the South West, said: “We know more people get ill as autumn turns into winter, so these are some little tips to help everyone stay well - you, your family, your friends and your neighbours.
“Getting your jabs, using the NHS App to get your repeat meds, having lots of hot drinks and staying active are just a few of the things that can make a real difference. Much better than ending up in hospital.”
Judith Brown said: “You learn what you need over the years to get you through the winter. I make a list and when it’s all ticked off, l know l’m ready as I can be.”
Anthony Dunn said: “For people like us with learning disabilities it’s a completely different situation and they need help and support to understand.
“I try and keep myself warm, have my vaccine done from the local surgery to keep me safe. I drink a lot of water, a hot cup or tea or hot chocolate. It’s about keeping fit and active, because I don’t want to end up in hospital.
“Sometimes I don’t feel the cold and sometimes I do - it’s my age now. A lot of people need that warm scarf, gloves to keep themselves warm. And don’t pick slippers that you can trip over, because you can have an accident.”
Andy Brassington said: “As Walkers and Talkers was started nearly five years ago in the pandemic and our sole purpose is to try and help people look after their physical and mental health, I am absolutely delighted that the NHS in the South West is helping to get the message across to our wonderful group just how important it is for us all to get our jabs at the first opportunity.
“We all know that as autumn turns into winter it can be a very testing time in keeping ourselves healthy so let’s all do the right thing by getting our jabs and keeping an eye on one another. We really are all in this together.”
The campaign launches as the latest NHS statistics, released on 12 November, show that October was the busiest month ever for A&E and for ambulance staff. This was reflected in the South West, with South Western Ambulance Service recording more than 7,000 incidents over the weekend of 31 October/1 November – 10% higher than expected.
NHS England’s National Medical Director, Professor Frankie Swords, has warned that despite progress delivered by frontline teams, winter pressure is now already building, with more patients, including children, arriving at A&E with flu and other respiratory viruses.
Prof Swords said: “Today’s figures show just how hard our local teams are working.
“The most important thing people can do as we head into winter is to protect themselves and their families by getting the vaccinations they are eligible for against viruses like flu.
“As ever, if you need life-saving care please use A&E and 999, and otherwise use our high street pharmacies, 111 and 111 online.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "This Autumn has been the busiest ever for our NHS - with record numbers of people attending A&E and record numbers of elective appointments and treatments.
“Despite the relentless pressure, the NHS has delivered a record 30.6 million diagnostic tests, checks and scans over the last twelve months, and more people are being treated within 18 weeks than the same time last year. 
"I want to pay tribute to all the NHS staff whose commitment and hard work has made that possible.”