New campaign provides top tips for staying healthy this summer

A new campaign to help people keep healthy and away from medical waiting rooms so they can enjoy themselves this summer has been launched in Suffolk and north east Essex.

The summer campaign, which is being run by the NHS in Suffolk and north east Essex, offers helpful tips and advice to support people’s health and wellbeing.

Lisa Nobes, Director of Nursing at NHS Suffolk and North East Essex, said: “Summer usually means longer days, nicer weather and more people vising the lovely Suffolk and north east Essex coastline so we wanted to remind people to take extra care to avoid seasonal mishaps and illnesses.

“When the weather is warmer, we advise people to keep in the shade as much as possible, use the right factor sun cream for them, drink plenty of water or soft drinks and for those people using prescription medication to remember to take it with them on holiday or day trip.”

The campaign reminds people to make sure they have over-the-counter medicines at home to treat common illnesses and use pharmacies for general health advice and treatment.

Dr Ravi Ayyumuthu, interim Medical Director at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust commented: “There are around 200 community pharmacies in north east Essex and east and west Suffolk.  People should make use of these for health advice. No appointment is needed to speak with a pharmacist and many are open in evenings and weekends.

 “If people do forget their prescription medication while on holiday, they should contact their   own GP surgery to ask if an electronic prescription can be sent to a pharmacy near to where they are staying rather than contacting a local GP or hospital.”

Catherine Morgan, Chief Nurse at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) which runs Colchester and Ipswich hospitals, said: “We encourage our communities to look after themselves and visit pharmacies where possible, but if anyone needs to see a medical professional urgently this summer, we have urgent treatment centres across Suffolk and north east Essex. There is also the 111 service that can be used for non-life-threatening conditions. They can provide mental health crisis support too.” Promotional flyers about the campaign will be distributed throughout Suffolk and north east Essex and more advice about how to keep well this summer can be found at www.sneewellbeing.org.uk/summer.