Key Winter Messaging from the NHS

The NHS Winer Engagement Fund have kindly part-funded two lunch socials for 24x adult unpaid carers in February 2025. These lunches have been an opportunity for carers to access respite from their caring role, as well as a chance to socialise with peers breaking down isolation and loneliness barriers. At these lunches, carers have provided insights and feedback on the NHS app and its functionality, which will be shared with local NHS engagement teams to help shape the ongoing development of the app.

Please find information below on Key Winter Messaging from the NHS to ensure that you and the person that you care for are safe and well looked after this winter.

Flu (adults and children)

• Flu spreads more easily in winter when we spend more time together in enclosed spaces and can cause serious illness. It’s important to top up your protection by accessing a Flu Vaccine as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year. You may be eligible for a free flu vaccine, and further information/eligibility criteria can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/
• Children are more likely to catch and spread winter viruses, such as the flu. Vaccinating your child will stop them from getting seriously ill with flu and aid a speedy recovering. It will help to protect your child against serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia
• Vaccinating children also helps to protect others who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies and the elderly
• School-aged children can get their flu vaccine through school or community venues, and for most children the vaccine is a nasal spray which is quick and painless

Covid-19

• Covid-19 can cause serious illness and result in being admitted to hospital and death
• The best way to reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms and help you to recover quickly, is to get the Covid-19 vaccine
• Similar to the Flu Vaccine, you may be eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine. Further information can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/#:~:text=You%20may%20be%20offered%20a,care%20home%20for%20older%20adults

RSV vaccine

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause lung infections like bronchiolitis, making it difficult for newborn babies to breath, causing 20,000 infants needing hospital treatment each year
• Pregnant women are eligible for a free RSV vaccine to protect their babies from serious lung infections

Measles

• Measles cases are rising in London, and action is needed to prevent children from becoming seriously unwell
• Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems
• Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it

MMR Vaccine

• The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine, protecting against measles, mumps and rubella
• Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection. The first dose is given when babies are 1 years old and the second dose at 3 years and 4 months of age

Whooping Cough

• Whooping Cough (pertussis) can be very serious for young babies who are too young to start their routine childhood vaccines
• Babies with whooping cough are often very unwell, and many are likely to need hospital treatment as it can lead to pneumonia and brain damage
• Getting vaccinated whilst pregnant is highly effective in protecting your baby from developing whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life

Mental health support

If you need non-urgent mental health support:

• Contact your GP for advice and guidance
• Self-refer to talking therapies for anxiety and depression – https://www.richmondwellbeingservice.nhs.uk/
• Visit the NHS website which includes information and support for your mental health – https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

If you need urgent mental health support:

• Contact the team providing your care if you are a patient with South West London and St George’s (SWLSTG) Mental Health NHS Trust
• Call the SWLSTG 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 028 8000. You can call for yourself or if you are concerned about someone
• Call the CAHMS Crisis Line if you’re a child, young person or parent/carer worried about a young person’s mental health on 020 3228 5980. This line is open every day from 9am to 11pm
• Visit a Recovery Café who can help adults with mental health issues – https://swlstg.nhs.uk/service-detail/service/recovery-caf-hestias-tooting-and-wandsworth-156/ · Find practical tools to help yourself cope in a crisis – https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/

In the event of an emergency:

Call 999 or go to A&E if someone’s life is at risk. For example, if they have seriously injured themselves, taken an overdose, or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe.

Pharmacy support

• Your local pharmacy offers a wide range of services for quick health advice, such as blood pressure checks for over 40-year-olds
• Pharmacies can help with lots of common conditions and minor illnesses, such as, colds, sore throats and tummy trouble
• Pharmacies are often open late into the evenings, and at weekdays. There is no need to book an appointment – you can just walk in
• Most pharmacies will have a private consultation room, meaning you can discuss your concerns and worries in a confidential environment

NHS 111

• NHS 111 can help you when you need medical help or advise quickly when it is a non-life-threatening emergency
• NHS 111 can direct you to the best place to get help if you cannot contact your GP during the day, or when your GP is closed
• You can contact NHS 111 over the phone or via the NHS App

NHS App

• On the NHS App, you can book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your health records, manage referrals and more all in one place depending on your GP surgery
• The App is easy and secure to use and brings together different NHS services in one place, making it easier for you to manage your health and any care you may need

NHS 10-year engagement plan

The NHS are engaging on their 10-year plan and asking for your views and experiences on the NHS. You can submit your ideas and feedback through the online platform at change.nhs.uk