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Winter and festive survival guide

WITH the Christmas and New Year holiday period fast approaching and the prospect of winters chilly blast throwing its worst at us, here is some useful advice and information from NHS North East Essex on how to stay healthy and, should you require treatment, where to go to get it.

Where to get treatment

GP cover: If you need to contact a doctor outside normal surgery hours telephone Harmoni, the local GP out-of-hours service, on 0845 602 5215 (local rate). This service should only be used for urgent medical problems that cannot wait until the patients own GP practice re-opens. Many GP surgeries will be opening for extended hours during the Christmas period. Check with your surgery for details. Dental cover: For all urgent dental treatment over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, telephone Harmoni, the out-of-hours emergency dental service, on 0845 602 5238 (local rate). Once triaged the nurse will give you the number of the dentist who is on call to carry out any necessary treatment. Pharmacies: The following pharmacies will be open over Christmas and New Year Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December 2011 (normal hours, except) ASDA, Turner Rise, Colchester CO4 5TU Boots, Lion Walk, Colchester CO1 1LX Boots, Fiveways Store, Peartree Road, Colchester Boots, Plume Avenue, Colchester CO3 4PG Boots, Tollgate West, Stanway, Colchester CO3 8RG Boots, 54-62 Pier Avenue, Clacton CO15 1QN Boots, High Street, Dovercourt, CO12 3AX Boots, 10 Connaught Avenune, Frinton CO13 9PW Boots, Barfield Rd, West Mersea, CO5 8QX Holland Pharmacy, Frinton Road, Holland on Sea North Road, Pharmacy, St Johns Rd, Gt. Clacton Oakley Pharmacy, Gt Oakley 06:00-19:00 08:30-17:30 08:30-17:00 08:00-21:00 Close Midnight 08:30-17:30 08:30-17:30 09:00-17:30 09:00-17:30 08:00-22:00 07:00-22:00 CLOSED

Prescriptions 2 You, Pier Avenue, Clacton Queen Street Pharmacy, Queen St, Colchester Sainsburys, Western Approach, Tollgate, Colchester Tesco, Highwoods, Colchester CO4 9ED Tiptree Pharmacy, Church Road, Tiptree CO5 0HB Christmas Day Sunday 25th Dec 2011 Prescriptions 2 You, Pier Avenue, Clacton Queen Street Pharmacy, Queen Street, Colchester Tiptree Pharmacy, Church Road, Tiptree CO5 0HB Boxing Day Monday 26th December ASDA, Turner Rise, Colchester CO4 5TU Boots Lion Walk, Colchester CO1 1LX Boots, Tollgate, Stanway, Colchester CO3 8RG Boots, 54-62 Pier Avenue, Clacton CO15 1QN Boots, High Street, Dovercourt, CO12 3AX Boots, 10 Connaught Avenue, Frinton CO13 9PW Boots, Church Road, Tiptree CO5 0HF Boots, 37 Barfield Rd, West Mersea CO5 8QX Prescriptions 2 You, Pier Avenue, Clacton Sainsburys, Western Approach, Tollgate, Colchester Tiptree Pharmacy, Church Road, Tiptree CO5 0HB Tuesday 27th December Bank Holiday ASDA, Turner Rise, Colchester CO4 5TU Boots 52 Victoria Place, Brightlingsea CO7 0AB Boots Lion Walk, Colchester CO1 1LX Boots, Tollgate, Stanway, Colchester CO3 8RG Boots, 54-62 Pier Avenue, Clacton CO15 1QN Boots, High Street, Dovercourt, CO12 3AX Boots, 10 Connaught Avenue, Frinton CO13 9PW Boots, Station Road, Manningtree CO11 1AA Boots, 37 Barfield Rd, West Mersea CO5 8QX Boots, Church Road, Tiptree CO5 0HF Prescriptions 2 You, Pier Avenue, Clacton Sainsburys, Western Approach, Tollgate, Colchester Tesco, Highwoods, Colchester CO4 9ED Tiptree Pharmacy, Church Road, Tiptree CO5 0HB

Close 18:00 Close 18:30 Close 18:00 Close 17:00 08:00-Midnight

10:00-13:00 10:00-12:00 10:00-14:00

10:00-16:00 10:30-16:30 10:00-16:00 09:00-17:00 10:00-16:00 10:00-16:00 09:00-12:00 11:00-17:00 09:00-18:00 10:00-17:00 10:00-14:00

09:00-18:00 09:00-13:00 08:30-17:30 10:00-16:00 09:00-17:00 09:00-17:00 10:00-16:00 10:00-14:00 10:00-16:00 10:00-13:00 09:00-18:00 09:00-19:00 11:00-16:00 10:00-14:00

New Years Eve Saturday 31st December normal opening hours, except ASDA, Turner Rise, Colchester CO4 5TU Boots, Lion Walk, Colchester CO1 1LX Boots, Fiveways Store, Peartree Road, Colchester Boots, Plume Avenue, Colchester CO3 4PG Boots, Tollgate West, Stanway, Colchester CO3 8RG Boots, 54-62 Pier Avenue, Clacton CO15 1QN Boots, High Street, Dovercourt, CO12 3AX Boots, 10 Connaught Avenue, Frinton CO13 9PW Boots, Barfield Rd, West Mersea CO5 8QX Holland Pharmacy, Frinton Road, Holland on Sea North Road, Pharmacy, St Johns Rd, Gt. Clacton Oakley Pharmacy, Gt. Oakley, Dovercourt Prescriptions 2 You, Pier Avenue, Clacton Queen Street Pharmacy, Queen St, Colchester Sainsburys, Western Approach, Tollgate, Colchester Tesco, Highwoods, Colchester CO4 9ED Tiptree Pharmacy, Church Road, Tiptree CO5 0HB 06:00-19:00 08:30-17:30 08:30-17:00 08:00-23:00 Close 21:00 08:30-17:30 08:30-17:30 09:00-17:30 09:30-17:30 08:00-22:00 07:00-22:00 Closed Close 18:00 Close 18:30 Close 19:00 Close 17:00 08:00-00:00

New Years Day Sunday 1st January 2012 (normal trading, except) ASDA. Turner Rise, Colchester CO4 5TU Boots, Lion Walk, Colchester CO1 1LX Boots, Plume Avenue, Colchester, CO3 4PG Boots, Tollgate West, Stanway, Colchester CO3 8RG Boots, 54-62 Pier Avenue, Clacton CO15 1QN Boots, Barfield Road, West Mersea CO5 8QX Holland Pharmacy, Frinton Road, Holland on Sea North Road Pharmacy , St Johns Road, Gt. Clacton Prescriptions 2 You, Pier Avenue, Clacton Queen Street Pharmacy, Queen St, Colchester Sainsburys, Western Approach, Tollgate, Colchester Tesco, Highwoods, Colchester CO4 9ED Tiptree Pharmacy, Church Road, Tiptree Monday 2nd January Bank Holiday ASDA, Turner Rise, Colchester CO4 5TU Boots Lion Walk, Colchester CO1 1LX Boots, Tollgate West, Stanway, Colchester CO3 8RG Boots, 54-62 Pier Avenue, Clacton CO15 1QN Boots, High Street, Dovercourt, CO12 3AX Boots, 10 Connaught Avenue, Frinton CO13 9PW Boots, Barfield Rd, West Mersea CO5 8QX 09:00-18:00 10:30-16:30 10:00-16:00 10:00-16:00 10:00-16:00 10:00-16:00 10:00-16:00 10:00-16:00 10:30-16:30 09:00-19:00 10:00-16:00 10:00-16:00 10:00-16:00 08:00-22:00 10:00-20:00 09:00-18:00 10:30-16:30 10:00-16:00 Closed 08:00-Midnight

Prescriptions 2 You, Pier Avenue, Clacton Sainsburys, Western Approach, Tollgate, Colchester Tesco, Highwoods, Colchester CO4 9ED Tiptree Pharmacy, Church Road, Tiptree CO5 0HB

09:00-18:00 09:00-19:00 11:00-16:00 10:00-14:00

Medications: Arrange repeat prescriptions from your GP for any prescribed medicines, to ensure you have enough. Keep your medicine cabinet well stocked with over-the-counter treatments. North Colchester Healthcare Centre (incorporating the walk-in centre), Colchester Primary Care Centre, Turner Road, Colchester, telephone 01206 314015: GP-led service providing treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, no appointment necessary. Please note that repeat prescriptions are not available and there are no x-ray facilities on site. Open throughout the holiday period from 7am until 10pm. Clacton Minor Injury Unit, Clacton Hospital, Tower Road, telephone 01255 201594: Nurse-led service providing treatment for minor injuries, e.g. cuts, sprains and fractures. It is not able to issue repeat prescriptions, treat medical conditions or acute illnesses. Open throughout the holiday period from 9am until 9pm. Harwich Minor Injury Unit, Fryatt Hospital, Main Road, Dovercourt, telephone 01255 201226: Nurse-led service providing treatment for minor injuries, e.g. cuts, sprains and fractures. It is not able to issue repeat prescriptions, treat medical conditions or acute illnesses. Open throughout the holiday period from 9am until 5pm. NHS Direct: If you, or someone you know, falls ill over the holiday period (or at any other time) call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Medical professionals are on hand to give confidential health advice around the clock. Pharmacies: Your local pharmacists are qualified to offer expert help and advice on medicines (prescribed and over-the-counter) as well as many other ailments such as sore throats, colds and flu, mouth problems, minor grazes and headaches. Most people live near to a community pharmacy and no appointment is necessary. Accident & Emergency department, Colchester General Hospital, Turner Road: Only for critical or life-threatening situations requiring medical attention, such as loss of consciousness, heavy blood loss, suspected broken bones, persistent chest pain, difficulty breathing, overdoses, ingestion or poisoning. If you think immediate treatment by paramedics is needed, call 999 for an emergency ambulance.

Tips to stay healthy

COMMON sense precautions should be followed to maximise the chances of you and your family enjoying a healthy Christmas and New Year. That is the message from Dr Shane Gordon, Chief Executive of North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group. He offered the following advice to people to help ensure a healthy festive period and winter: At this time of year we spend a lot of time visiting friends and relatives and unfortunately, we can bring unwanted gifts such as the flu. Flu, particularly for older people and people in certain at risk groups can be an extremely serious illness. If you are over 65 or in an at risk category this includes people with diabetes and chronic heart, chest or kidney conditions flu vaccination is free. If you havent already done so, contact your GP surgery for a flu jab cold weather can be a potential killer for older people, both in terms of hypothermia and slips and falls. Dressing warmly with several light layers of clothing; moving beds or chairs away from cold exterior walls, eating properly, taking regular warm drinks and staying active can all help people minimise the risk of hypothermia. If you know an older person living on their own, keep an eye out for them over the festive period why not take round a slice of Christmas cake and some Christmas cheer? be prepared for minor health problems by keeping a well-stocked medicines cupboard that contains paracetamol, ibuprofen, indigestion remedies, cough mixture, mild laxatives and other medication that your family needs. Always read the label and keep out of the reach of your young ones. patients with repeat prescriptions should make sure they have enough medication to see them through the holiday period there is nothing wrong with a Christmas drink but try not to over do it. If you are going out for a few drinks, it is best to eat beforehand and alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. If you are drinking alcohol, dont risk driving take the late bus, nominate a driver or arrange for a taxi to take you home.

Use antibiotics wisely

AS we enter the season of coughs, colds and flu, people are being urged to use antibiotics wisely.

Paul Breame, Assistant Director Medicines Management and Pharmacy Commissioning at NHS North East Essex, said it is very important that people dont treat antibiotics as a cure-all. We know from the feedback we receive from GPs that many people expect antibiotics prescribed to them if they have a cold, cough, flu or ear-ache. However, the facts are that antibiotics will not help with most of these infections as the majority are caused by viruses. If people keep using antibiotics indiscriminately, they will have to address genuine resistance issues in the next few years. Widespread use of antibiotics for many years has already resulted in many of them being ineffective against a variety of bacteria, said Paul. ends December 9 2011 Issued on behalf of NHS North East Essex by PJR Communications Ltd. For further information contact Peter Richardson on 01206 843225