WITH the cold weather setting in health bosses are reminding people in Worcestershire to take care of themselves and their families to avoid a trip to hospital.

NHS South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – the organisation responsible for organising and paying for health services in the area – is backing this week’s national Self Care Week.

While most adults will have between two and four colds a year, children and younger people may have up to eight as their immune system is more susceptible to viral inspections.

The CCG is working with students to design posters encouraging young people to be more aware of their own health.

NHS South Worcestershire CCG’s chief clinical officer Dr Carl Ellson said: “Preventing ill health is important all year round.

“Self-care is about choosing lifestyle options that help keep you and your family fit and healthy.

“It is important that people understand about self-care, especially during the winter months, when seasonal illnesses increase.

“Knowing how to take medicines, treat minor ailments and seek help when you need it is vital to self-care. Many common winter ailments do not require antibiotics and visiting a pharmacy for advice and treatment is often your best bet.”

The best way of preventing winter ailments such as coughs, colds or sore throats is keeping warm and drinking lots of fluids. Pharmacists can also offer over-the-counter medications which may help relieve the symptoms.

People with long-term conditions are also advised to make sure they have enough medication over the winter period.

A&E departments are typically very busy during the winter so patients are asked only to go to hospital in a genuine emergency such as a heart attack.

The county’s five Minor Injury Units in Kidderminster and Tenbury – both of which are open 24 hours a day – as well as Malvern, Evesham and Bromsgrove can deal with conditions such as broken bones, cuts, grazes and wounds and waiting times are typically much shorter than at A&E.

For health advice call NHS 111.