5th November 2021
As the winter months approach and the likelihood of catching all sorts of common ailments increases, NHS Stockport CCG has launched a seven-month campaign called ‘Taking Care of…’, to help people understand what they can do to take good care of themselves and their family when they catch one of these nuisance illnesses.
The ‘Taking Care of…’ campaign will provide information including free download leaflets, medical tips, advice and links about a number of common, minor illnesses. It will serve as a go-to information hub to help Stockport’s residents identify a common ailment and how to help ease the symptoms.
Launching the campaign, Taking Care of Winter Chills and Snuffles arrives at the start of winter, just as we might be suffering from a cold ourselves, or friends, family and colleagues are suffering from a common cough or sore throat.
Taking Care of Winter Chills and Snuffles advises people to rest, sleep, drink plenty water-based drinks to avoid dehydration and to stay warm when they’re suffering with a cold, sore throat or cough. Adults are advised to gargle with salted water (not children) or suck ice cubes, while people with coughs are encouraged to make hot lemon and honey drinks and consult their pharmacist about the best cough medicine. For those who can take them, paracetamol or Ibuprofen are advised.
Dr Cath Munro, Chair of NHS Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “People have become much more knowledgeable about how to help themselves when they’re poorly with common ailments like coughs and colds. But the ‘Taking Care of…’ campaign offers extra guidance and tips from the NHS and medical professionals to help people feel much more confident about taking care of themselves.
“Inevitably, our immune systems dip from time to time, making us more susceptible to everyday colds, sore throats and coughs, so it’s important that people have an online hub to consult when they feel unsure about how best to treat themselves, knowing it’s not serious but feeling there’s more they need to do to recover.
Councillor Jude Wells, Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health at Stockport Council, said: “We are pleased to support NHS Stockport CCG’s ‘Taking Care of…’ campaign, which encourages residents to take a proactive approach to taking care of themselves, and their family.
“This campaign will offer information about common, minor illnesses, and signpost the treatments that the NHS would advise. This is also part of our joint campaign, ‘Staying Well in Winter’, which encourages people to opt for self-care – and to increase their knowledge and confidence about ‘how’ to do that.”
The ‘Taking Care of Winter Chills and Snuffles’ campaign can be found at: www.stockportccg.nhs.uk/your-health/staying-well/.