HEALTH chiefs in South Warwickshire are urging people to help themselves, and by doing so help the NHS save money.
Although life expectancy in the UK is on the increase, people are more likely to spend more of their extra years in poor health and the more that people self-mange their health and engage in prevention activities, they could save the NHS around £30 billion nationally by 2023.
The include looking out for family, friends and neighbours – particularly the frail and elderly, together with seemingly obvious advice including keeping warm, hydrated and eating a healthy diet, to using local pharmacies for advice about common winter ailments, and buying stocks of cold and flu remedies.
Self-Care is an integral part of NHS South Warwickshire CCG’s health priorities says Dr David Spraggett, Chair of NHS South Warwickshire CCG.
“A big problem is that too many people are still lacking an understanding of what self-care means and the affects this has on those to take better care of themselves and others around them.
“We are encouraging people to get behind the key messages for this year’s Self-Care Week campaign and make self-care a lifelong habit from when a child is born to their later years in life. For example, a simple thing that we can all do is ensure we carry out thorough hand washing, it is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses such as food poisoning and flu.”
* PRESCRIPTIONS for antibiotics in South Warwickshire are falling.
NHS South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has achieved a 7.5 per cent reduction in the total volume of antibiotic prescribing in the past 12 months, and a 37 per cent reduction in the prescribing of specific antibiotics which have been associated with patients suffering from a nasty stomach infection.
Dr Richard Lambert, assistant clinical chair at South Warwickshire CCG said: “We are really pleased to have surpassed the national target set to reduce antibiotic prescribing. Our GPs have been working hard with our medicines management team, pharmacists and care homes.
“They are making sure antibiotics are only prescribed to those patients whom would benefit from them and not for conditions such as colds and sore throats which usually get better on their own and generally don’t require antibiotics.”
* PEOPLE can have their say on GP services in Warwickshire.
The NHS South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is inviting the public to a free workshop on Saturday (December 3) to share their views.
The event will be held at The Moorings on Myton Road, Leamington, from 9.45am to 12.30pm.
Breakfast and lunch will be available for those who attend. Visit www.swccg-workforceworkshop-primarycare.eventbrite.co.uk to book a place.
