DR Dan Bunstone, chairman of the Warrington CCG, gives advice on where to turn if you feel ill this Christmas

FROM tinsel to turkey, with Christmas on the horizon and only 32 days until the big day, there’s a lot to think about.

One additional thing you do need to consider when making your Christmas plans is ensuring you know the wide range of services available should you or your family fall ill.

You may have seen the national NHS adverts on television about The Help us, Help You Stay Well campaign. It aims to give people an understanding of how to navigate the NHS, so they can get the right help and advice.

NHS organisations and councils work together to prepare for winter, but it’s also important that you understand the range of treatment options available, so you’re prepared in case you need healthcare advice or guidance during the winter and Christmas period.

By choosing the best place to go to get the most suitable treatment you’ll be able to get the right treatment, in the right place at the right time.

Help Us, Help You Stay Well this winter by following these top tips:

  •  Self-care

There are a range of minor illnesses and injuries that you can treat at home. Stock up your medicine cabinet with over-the-counter remedies to treat minor injuries and illnesses

  •  Pharmacy

Ask your pharmacist what medicines should be in your home medicine cabinet and how to help you and your family get through the winter season.

Many over-the-counter medicines (including paracetamol and ibuprofen) are available to relieve symptoms of common winter ailments such as cold, sore throat, cough, sinusitis or painful middle ear infection (earache). Always seek advice from your pharmacist at the first sign of a cough or cold before it gets more serious.

  •  NHS 111

If you need advice fast and you’re not sure what to do, call 111 for healthcare advice. In some areas, you can also access NHS 111 online. To see if you can access help from NHS 111 online, visit 111.nhs.uk/ and enter your postcode

  •  GP

Your GP is your first point of contact for non-emergency illnesses which you can’t treat yourself and some practices can offer same day appointments if necessary. When the practice is closed, you can still see a local GP with the GP out of hours service. Just call 111

  •  nhs.uk

Get answers to questions, including common childhood illnesses at nhs.uk 24 hours a day.

Cold weather can be seriously bad for our health. That’s why it’s important to look after yourself and your loved ones, especially during the winter. So this Christmas, if you’re making a list, make sure you’ve checked it twice and know your healthcare options!