WITH dark nights creeping in, bosses at Warrington CCG are urging residents to start preparing for winter.

The health body for the town has launched their winter 'Choose Well' campaign, which provides practical advice and support about how to choose the right NHS service at the right time and helps people understand how to reduce the risk of falling ill in the first place.

Dr Simon Redfearn, CCG lead for urgent care said: “This year more than any other, we are asking people for their support, to make sure that we can give urgent and emergency care to those people who need it.

"We need them to think twice and make sure they choose the right service for minor illnesses, ailments and injuries.

"There are a number of minor illnesses and ailments that can be self-treated. If you are a normally healthy adult, coughs, colds and stomach upsets such as sickness and diarrhoea are unpleasant, but you will begin to recover after 48 hours.

“Paracetamol, anti-diarrhoeal medicine, indigestion remedies, plasters and a thermometer will help adults to deal with most minor illnesses and ailments over the winter period, although it is important to follow instructions and telephone your GP surgery if your symptoms fail to improve after a couple of days.

“Staying at home and self-treating until you are free from symptoms for 48 hours are important to preventing further spread of these viruses.”

Doctors are also urging residents to reduce the risk of becoming ill by getting the seasonal flu vaccination.

Dr Dan Bunstone, CCG lead for long term conditions added: “The seasonal flu virus can be potentially life threatening in certain patients and will generally require two weeks of recovery time and is far worse than the common cold.

"Those at greater risk of developing complications such as pneumonia from seasonal flu should visit their local surgery as soon as possible to protect themselves in the months ahead.”

The seasonal flu vaccine is available to those who are aged 65 or over, those who are aged between six months and 65 years and at greater risk of serious complications resulting from serious complications from seasonal flu and all children aged two to four are eligible for the free flu vaccination in the form of a nasal spray.