Giant medicine cabinet is prescription for winter
Over-sized furniture arrives in city centre stocked with seasonal message on staying healthy
Published:
A GIANT medicine cabinet arrived in the city centre yesterday as a reminder to shoppers to look after themselves this winter.
The over-sized cabinet, stocked with winter essentials, was in Aberdeen’s Union Square shopping centre to raise awareness of an NHS Scotland campaign to let people know who they can turn to when ill.
As part of the Be Ready for Winter campaign, shoppers were offered tissues and vitamins to highlight some of the small steps that can be taken to stay healthy. Grampian residents are being urged to ask pharmacists for help in treating common winter ailments such as colds, coughs and flu and to only make an appointment with their GP if they have an illness or injury that will not go away.
This year GP surgeries will be closed for four days over Christmas, from December 25 to 28 and for four days over New Year from January 1 to 4.
People are advised to check pharmacy opening times and make sure they have the necessary medication to see them through the festive period.
Pauline Strachan, deputy medical director for NHS Grampian, said: “Self-caring during winter can help people to fend off common winter illnesses, and enables local health services to provide help where it is most needed.
“We are encouraging people to ask pharmacists for help in treating coughs, colds and flu, using routine doctor's appointments where possible, and only relying on out-of-hours services when they can't wait to see their own doctor. By doing so, we hope to free up Scotland's health service to deal with the more serious cases."
NHS 24 Medical Director Dr George Crooks said: “This year, as we are all aware, we also have H1N1 circulating within communities. It is therefore even more important to follow the Be Ready for Winter advice, as well as maintaining hygiene standards, such as washing your hands regularly and using and disposing of tissues appropriately.”
