Help Us Help You this winter by taking a look at our animation

NORTH West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has released a short animation to help people decide when to visit a Walk In Centre. Due to the added pressures that winter places on the NHS, it's vital that people choose the right service to meet their treatment needs.

The number of people attending A&E and calling 999 for an Ambulance is growing each year. Ambulance Services, Hospitals, GP surgeries and Walk In Centres get especially busy during winter. Choosing the right service best suited to your illness or injury will help relieve the pressure on these services.

North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has 3 Walk In Centres in Knowsley (Halewood, Huyton and Kirkby) and 1 Walk In Centre in:- Litherland, Sefton. They provide consultation, advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, including:-

► Infections and rashes (if measles is suspected, you are advised to stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice)

► Minor cuts and bruises.

► Minor burns and strains.

► Emergency contraception and advice for under 25's.

► Insect and animal bites.

► Stomach aches and upsets.

► Stitches and dressing care.

► Coughs and flu like symptoms.

Opening times:-

► Halewood, Huyton and Kirkby Walk In Centres are open from 8am to 9pm, from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 9pm, on Sunday's and Bank Holiday's.

► Litherland Walk In Centre is open from 8am to 8pm every day.

By choosing the right health service, you will be better placed to look after yourself and others this winter. This further reinforces the Help Us Help You national campaign, aimed at easing the pressure on NHS urgent care and emergency services.

The following tips will help you and your family stay well this winter:

1) Self care is the best choice to treat minor illnesses and injuries. A large range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home or simply with over the counter medicines and plenty of rest.

2) NHS 111 If you need advice fast and you're not sure what to do, call 111 for health care advice that is fast, easy and free. You can also get answers to hundreds of health questions, including common childhood illnesses at:- NHS.UK 24 hours a day!

3) Pharmacists (chemists) are a great source of health care service advice and information. They are experts in medicines and will help you decide if you need to see a doctor.

4) GP's can help if you have an illness or injury that won't go away and any long standing condition. Other examples may include vomiting, ear pain, stomach ache and back ache.

5) Walk In Centres provide consultations, advice and treatment for new minor injuries and illnesses.

Louise Johnston, Head of Service Ambulatory and Urgent Care said:- "With the festive season fast approaching, it's really important to choose the right health service this winter that can best support you and your family. You can help yourself to stay well by keeping warm, having your flu jab if eligible, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids. If you do become unwell, its essential you know what to do and which service will ensure you have a speedy recovery. Our Walk In Centres are there to provide an important service to the community but they cannot do it alone."

For further information and to view the animation, visit:- NWBH.NHS.UK/Are-You-Winter-Ready.

Ambulance Service wins double gold at CIPR awards

CELEBRATIONS all round for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) as their communications team was presented with 2 gold awards at the:- 'CIPR PRide Awards 2018' for their:- 'Make the Right Call' and 'Hero Next Door' campaigns.  Winter campaign:- 'Make The Right Call,' used quirky social media techniques such as:- 'Fake News' and 'WTF-Ways to Fail' to catch attention and spread the message about the appropriate ways to use 999 whilst Community 1st Responder recruitment campaign, Hero Next Door, used case studies and animations to highlight how everyday people can become neighbourhood heroes.

The ceremony took place, on Wednesday, 7 November 2018, at Hilton Manchester Deansgate, with 'Make The Right Call' taking home the 'Healthcare Campaign Gold Award' and 'Hero Next Door' winning 'Gold for Low Budget Campaign.'  Judges commented how they were "blown away" with the campaign to recruit new community 1st responders and that:- 'Make The Right Call' was a "stand out winner."

NWAS Head of Communications, Julie Treharne, said:- "I am delighted that the team has been recognised at such a prestigious award ceremony, we faced tough competition in each category but the creativity and passion of the team really shone through. These campaigns aim to spread key messages to the public about really important topics and the team did an excellent job at getting these across in original and engaging ways."

Hosted for 2018 by TV personality, Jenny Powell, the CIPR PRide Awards is the leading Regional PR awards which recognise industry leaders in public relations across the North West and demonstrates the value of PR to the wider business world.  The campaigns were delivered with support from Oldham based marketing agency, Cornerstone DM.