On this page you will find information to help you Stay Well This Winter
What is flu?
Flu occurs every year usually in the winter, which is why it’s sometimes called seasonal flu. Colds are much less serious and usually start gradually with a stuffy or runny nose and a sore throat. A bad bout of flu can be much worse than a heavy cold.
The most common symptoms of flu are fever, chills, headache, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. Healthy individuals usually recover within two to seven days, but for some the illness can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability or even death.
The flu vaccine
Flu can affect anyone but if you have a long-term health condition or you are aged 65 or over, the effects of flu can make it worse even if the condition is well managed and you normally feel well.
“Flu is a highly infectious illness with symptoms that come on very quickly. It is not the same as a cold; it is caused by a different group of viruses and the symptoms start more suddenly, are more severe and last longer. If you are in one of the at risk groups then your flu vaccine is free. Make an appointment with your GP or visit your local pharmacy as soon as possible.”
Dr Jon Doyle, local GP and Bromley CCG Clinical Director
A flu vaccine is available for free on the NHS for:
For more information about who should have the flu vaccine visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/who-should-have-flu-vaccine/
The children’s flu vaccine is offered as a yearly nasal spray to young children to help protect them against flu. Flu can be very unpleasant for children, with potentially serious complications, including bronchitis and pneumonia.
Find out more by visiting www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine
Getting your flu vaccine
Get your flu vaccine as soon as possible to protect yourself over the winter period. If you think you are eligible, contact your GP practice or ask your local pharmacist.
You should have the flu vaccine every year so you stay protected, as the flu virus can change from year to year. The flu vaccine will not give you the flu.
For more information on how to stay well this winter visit www.nhs.uk/staywell
Who is eligible for pneumococcal and shingles vaccinations
Shingles vaccinations
A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease is available on the NHS to people in their 70s. The shingles vaccine is given as a single injection into the upper arm.
Unlike the flu vaccine, you’ll only need to have the vaccination once and you can have it at any time of the year.
Shingles can be very painful and uncomfortable. Some people are left with pain lasting for years after the initial rash has healed. Shingles is also fatal for around 1 in 1,000 over-70s who develop it.
Who can have the shingles vaccination?
How do I get the shingles vaccine?
Find out more by visiting www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/shingles-vaccination
Pneumococcal vaccinations
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections. It’s also known as the pneumonia vaccine.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia (a kind of blood poisoning) and meningitis. At their worst, these infections can cause permanent brain damage, or even kill.
Who should have the pneumococcal vaccine?
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. But some people are at higher risk of serious illness, so it’s recommended they’re given the pneumococcal vaccination on the NHS.
These include:
Find out more about who should have the pneumococcal vaccine by visiting www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pneumococcalvaccination
GP services in Bromley during the evenings and at weekends
Bromley GPs are providing more patient appointments in the evenings and at weekends. These extended services are available from 4pm to 8pm on weekdays and 8am to 8pm at weekends, based across three Bromley GP Alliance access hubs.
In winter, when NHS services are particularly busy, we provide more of these appointments to make it easier for you to see a GP when you need one. To get an appointment, you can call your GP practice. If your need is urgent and there is no appointment available within your practice, you will be offered an appointment at one of the hubs (you will still be registered with your practice for future appointments).
Hubs are located in Beckenham, Bromley and Orpington. If you need to see a GP urgently when your practice is closed, please call 111.
Bromley Well
Bromley Well provides help for you to stay emotionally and physically well and to remain independent. For further community support on keeping well and staying warm this winter contact Bromley Well on:
tel: 0300 330 9039
email spa@bromleywell.org.uk.
Think you need medical help right now?
NHS 111 is available to offer advice on the best course of action.
NHS 111 can help you decide the best course of action to take when you have an urgent, but non-life-threatening health concern. NHS 111 provides you with a convenient way to get the right help or advice when you need it.
Whether over the telephone or online, NHS 111 will ensure that you get the right care, from the right person, as quickly as possible.
So, if you think you need urgent medical help, you can now call 111 or go online at www.111.nhs.uk
