I need to know more!

If you or someone who cares for you would like to keep up to date with our campaign between November and February, all the details about where you can access information is in the box below and at www.eastamb.nhs.uk/wise-up-for-winter.htm.

We hope you have a very safe and well winter. If you would like to tell us about your experience with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, you can contact the Patient Experience Team by:

phone: 01234 243320 free phone: 0800 028 3382

email: eoeasnt.feedback@nhs.net

What happens when I need medical attention?

If you’ve been unable to prevent an illness, a long- term condition has got worse, or you need urgent or emergency assistance, remember what you can access and when:

Always call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured, and their life is at risk. Examples of medical emergencies include (but are not limited to):

• cardiac arrest/collapse/unconsciousness• heart attack (pains through the left arm,

shortness of breath, clammy etc.)• stroke• convulsions or fitting• serious injury leading to severe loss of

blood, fractures etc.• severe burns or scalds• choking• drowning• severe allergic reactions. To access this leaflet in an alternative format or in a

different language please call 0800 028 3382 THISISEEASTInnovative. Responsive. Excellent. Always community focused. Always patient driven.

How to look after you and the people you care for this season

999 in winter: Why people call and how we respondWhilst it’s the season of festive fun, it’s also the season of colder temperatures, nasty weather, and illnesses like flu.

This leaflet tells you how to stay well this winter, and is run in conjunction with the national NHS campaign to help people stay well this winter - you can find out more at www.nhs.uk/staywell.

For many like the over 65s, carers, children, and those with long-term conditions, the cold and damp weather, ice, snow and high winds can all cause more risks than normal and make us more vulnerable to illnesses, slips and falls that are more common in winter.

Being cold can also raise the risk of increased blood pressure, which in turn can cause heart attacks and strokes – two of the main reasons

we get called out to people at winter time.

When you call 999, a call handler answers and checks the reason for calling, your phone number, and address of the incident. Depending on the nature of the call, the call handler may have to ask a set of questions to get further information. These questions will not delay help being arranged and help us make sure you get the right response.

At the end of the telephone assessment, the call is given a category based on the information given by the caller. The call handler may stay on the line, offering further practical help and advice where necessary.

The ambulance service is fully prepared to take care of you or a loved one if you have had

to dial 999 for help during the winter period. But we do ask that people remember it can be harder to reach a patient during poor weather conditions because we have to ensure the safety of our crews - if they are injured ‘on the road’, the consequences for the individuals and the service at large have long-term effects.

Being safe & well this winter

•practisegoodhandhygiene–soapandwater(tostop spread of stomach bugs such as norovirus and colds and flu)

•keepwarm,stockupwithcommonremedies and a first aid kit

•havetheflujabifyouareinanat-risk group

• take medicines as prescribed

•takeextracarewhenoutdriving,cyclingorwalkingincaseit’sicy

•catchcoughsandsneezesin tissues (catch it, bin it, kill it)