DOCTORS in Redditch have issued a five-point programme to help people stay fit and healthy this winter.
The initiative coincides with ‘Self-Care Week’, which runs until Sunday, November 22 and is aimed at helping people look after themselves better and cut the need for trips to the doctor or hospital.
This year, the doctors are focusing on five key messages:
1) Losing weight and staying fit
2) Stopping smoking
3) Alcohol consumption
4) Healthy eating
5) Managing common ailments
Dr Jonathan Wells, chair and clinical lead of Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Self-care is about choosing lifestyle options that help keep you and your family fit and healthy.
“Providing patients with the confidence and information to look after themselves when they can, and only visit their GP or hospital when they need to, gives people greater control of their own health.
“Most common winter ailments do not require antibiotics and visiting a pharmacy for advice and treatment is often your best bet.”
It is usual for adults to have two to four colds a year while children are likely to have three to eight as their immune system is more susceptible to viral infections.
Doctors say if you do catch a winter ailment such as a cough, cold or sore throat, treat yourself better by keeping warm and drinking plenty of fluids.
Over the counter medicines can help with symptom relief and local pharmacists can offer advice if you need it.
More information is available at www.redditchandbromsgroveccg.nhs.uk/ and on the CCG Twitter account @RB_CCG
