From 1 July 2022, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will be dissolved, and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) will take over the responsibility for NHS functions and budgets. We will become part of NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB. You can continue to use this website to find the information you need, which remains relevant for the Hull area.

Get ready for winter

NHS Hull Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), East Riding of Yorkshire CCG, City Health Care Partnership CIC (CHCP), Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council are encouraging people in Hull and the East Riding to ‘Stay Well This Winter’.

On this website you will find everything you need to help keep yourself, and those around you, healthy over the winter months.

Scroll down to find out how we can help

Get ready for winter

NHS Hull Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), East Riding of Yorkshire CCG, City Health Care Partnership CIC (CHCP), Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council are encouraging people in Hull and the East Riding to ‘Stay Well This Winter’.

On this website you will find everything you need to help keep yourself, and those around you, healthy over the winter months.

Scroll down to find out how we can help

Help us help you this winter by getting your flu vaccination – it’s free because you need it

This flu season eligible patients are encouraged to visit their GP or pharmacist to have a vaccination.

The NHS offers free vaccinations to people who are at risk from the seasonal flu virus. The vaccination is the best method we have to protect you from this unpredictable and potentially deadly virus.

The following groups are at particular risk from flu and vaccination is the best protection we have against an unpredictable virus. That’s why the flu vaccine if free – because eligible groups really need it

People with underlying conditions

Flu is a highly infectious disease and can lead to serious complications if you have an underlying health condition such as COPD, bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease or a chronic neurological disease like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Flu on top of health conditions like these increases your chance of serious health complications and a hospital visit.

Adults aged 65 and over

The flu vaccination continues to be available to adults aged 65 years old and over, who are more vulnerable and may suffer more than most people if they catch flu. This year a more effective vaccine is being given to those aged 65 and over, which is proven to give better protection against flu for people of this age.

Children

Flu can be nasty for little children. Children also tend to be super-spreaders of flu so if they get it, they are likely to infect more vulnerable older family members. Children who get flu have the same symptoms as adults – including fever, chills, aching muscles, headache, stuffy nose, dry cough and sore throat. Some children develop a very high fever or complications of flu, such as bronchitis or pneumonia and may need hospital treatment. The flu vaccine will help protect your child from flu and also reduce the chance of it spreading on to others. For most children, the flu vaccine is not usually an injection, just a quick and easy nasal spray. Children aged 2 and 3 receive the vaccine through their GP and children reception and school years 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 receive it in school. If you have a child who is of the eligible age, make sure you sign the consent form allowing them to have the flu vaccine at school.

Pregnant women

Pregnancy naturally weakens the body’s immune system and as a result flu can cause serious complications for you and your baby. One of the most common complications of flu is bronchitis, a chest infection that can become serious and develop into pneumonia. If you have flu while you’re pregnant, it could mean your baby is born prematurely or has a low birthweight, and may even lead to stillbirth or death. You may be less able to fight off infections, increasing the risk of becoming ill from flu. The flu jab is the safest way to help protect you and your baby against flu, no matter how many months pregnant you are or however fit and healthy you may feel. If you are eligible for the flu vaccine, get it now. Contact your general practice, pharmacist or midwife to get it.

Visit www.nhs.uk/fluvaccine for more information.

The best time to have the vaccine is in the autumn, from the beginning of October to early November. If you think you might need it, contact your local GP surgery.

Stay well this winter

We all know that the cold weather can be bad for our health, but there are simple things that can help you and your family stay well throughout the winter months:

  • Protect yourself from Flu – If you’re eligible it’s important that you have your free flu vaccination. For people with existing health problems, young children and pregnant women, the flu can be very nasty and even dangerous. Find out more here.

  • Seek early advice – If you start to feel unwell, even if it is just a cough or cold, don’t wait until it gets serious – ask for help from your local pharmacist. The sooner you get advice the better. You do not need an appointment and if you live in Hull you may be able to receive medicine for free under the minor ailments scheme.

  • Know where to get treatment – Winter can be very demanding on health services. It is important to visit the right service for your needs as this will help you to be seen quickly and effectively. If you’re unsure where to go you can call NHS 111 for advice. Alternatively, find out about local services in Hull and services in the East Riding.

  • Keep warm – Keep yourself warm both inside and outdoors. This can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes pneumonia and depression. Heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F) if you can. You might prefer your living room to be slightly warmer. You can find advice about heating here.

Remember, if you have a long-term health condition such as: COPD, bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, heart or kidney disease, or have suffered a stroke, then the cold weather could make these conditions worse. Get advice from your pharmacist at the first signs or symptoms of a winter respiratory illness, before it gets more serious.

Where to get medical treatment and advice

If you, or someone you know, become unwell this winter it is important to know where to go to get medical treatment and advice:

Self-care

Often over the counter remedies can successfully treat coughs, colds and stomach upsets, plus a range of other minor illnesses. Be prepared by keeping a well stocked medicine cabinet at home; for further information please click here.

Your local pharmacist can give you help and advice. To find a pharmacy near you, click here.

NHS 111

For non-emergencies call 111 for quick medical advice. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is free to call from landlines and mobile phones.

Pharmacy advice and treatment

Pharmacists offer free advice on a number of illnesses and can recommend which medicines to take. No appointment is needed. To find a pharmacy near you, click here.

If you take regular medication, it’s important to order your prescription in plenty of time and make sure you have enough to last over weekends and bank holidays.

More information about pharmacies in Hull (including Bank Holiday opening times)

More information about pharmacies in the East Riding (including Bank Holiday opening times)

Hull Minor aliments scheme

In Hull, people who do not pay for prescriptions can visit a number of pharmacies to receive free-of-charge medication without having to see their GP first. Further information about the scheme is available here.

GP Appointments

Make an appointment with your GP if you have an illness or injury which won’t go away, but isn’t an emergency. Your GP or nurse will be able to treat and manage a number of symptoms and can make a referral to hospital if needed.

Routine GP and nurse appointments are now available during the evenings and at weekend. To book appointments please contact your GP practice.

Visit www.improvingaccess.org for more information on appointments in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Visit www.accessplus.org.uk for more information on appointments in Hull.

Out of hours GP service

The out of hours GP service is available for patients when doctors surgeries are closed from 6.30pm to 8.00am weekdays and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays. If you need medical treatment that’s not an immediate emergency, but cannot wait until the next day then access the out of hours GP by calling 111.

Urgent Treatment Centres

If you have an urgent injury or illness that is not serious, life or limb threatening, then the nearest Urgent Treatment Centre can provide assessment, advice and/or treatment

Common conditions an Urgent Treatment Centre can treat are:

  • Cuts and grazes
  • Sprains and strains
  • Simple broken bones
  • Wound and wound infections
  • Minor burns and scalds
  • Minor head injuries
  • Insect and animal bites
  • Minor eye injuries (foreign bodies in eye)
  • Minor back injuries
  • Emergency contraception
  • Skin infections/rashes/allergic reactions
  • Urine infections
  • Raised temperature/fever

Depending on your symptoms, Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) can carry out blood tests and x-rays to get a better understanding of what is wrong and, if needed prescribe medication and issue prescriptions for some conditions.

You can walk into an Urgent Treatment Centre; however, we always recommend you Talk before you walk and call NHS 111. They will assess your symptoms, decide what medical help you need and advise where you need to go.

In Hull, Bransholme Health Centre has a 24-hour Urgent Treatment Centre. Click here for information on Hull UTC (including X-Ray opening hours).

In the East Riding of Yorkshire, there are 3 Urgent Treatment Centres, Beverley, Bridlington and Goole. Click here to find the nearest one to you.

8 – 8 Centres

Driffield and Withernsea both have an 8 – 8 Centre that provides a low-level injury service for adults and children, two years and above.

If you have an injury, it is important you ring NHS 111 first. A professional will assess your symptoms and determine whether your injury is low-level and whether the 8 – 8 Centre can meet your needs.

Visit East Riding CCG’s website for more information

In Hull, you can visit Story Street Medical Practice, between 8am – 8pm without an appointment. The practice sees both registered and unregistered patients and is open 7 days a week and over bank holidays. For more information, click here.

Story Street Medical Practice, Wilberforce Health Centre, 6 – 10 Story Street, Hull, HU1 3SA. 01482 335180

A&E, Emergency Department and 999

For life threatening and emergency situations, such as: loss of consciousness, acute confused state, fits, chest pain, breathing difficulties and severe bleeding, call 999 or visit your closest A&E /Emergency Department (ED) immediately.

Don’t forget!

If at any point you’re worried about your common winter illness symptoms seek medical advice by calling NHS 111, free from UK landlines and mobiles, or speak to a local pharmacist about how you can treat your symptoms.

If you’re over 65, pregnant or have a long-term health condition then seek advice from a health professional as soon as you begin to feel unwell.

Many GP surgeries and pharmacies will be closed over the Christmas and New Year bank holiday period, if you take regular medication make sure to collect your prescription in plenty of time before the services are closed.

For more information visit the NHS choices website here.

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