BNSSG Healthier Together
    A smiling family walking outside in the summer.

    Stay well this summer

    Find out how to access local information and support to help you and your family stay well this summer.

    Sun safety

    Follow these handy tips to make sure you stay safe in the sun this summer.

    1. Use at least factor 30 sunscreen and reapply frequently.
    2. Stay hydrated and avoid excess alcohol.
    3. Wear clothes and sunglasses that provide sun protection, including a wide-brimmed hat that shades the face, neck and ears.
    4. Spend time in the shade when the sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm.
    5. Take extra care to protect babies and children. Children aged under 6 months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight.
    Visit the NHS UK website for more information on sun safety

    Hot weather advice

    While many people enjoy warmer summer weather, hot weather can cause some people to become unwell through overheating, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

    During very hot weather it’s important to:

    • keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
    • plan to complete any physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog) during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening
    • keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
    • cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen when going outside
    • drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake
    • check in on older neighbours, relatives and friends who live alone to make sure they’re not having difficulties in the heat
    • know the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them. Read about heatstroke and heat exhaustion symptoms on the NHS website.
    Visit the NHS website to learn more about what to do in a heatwave

    Think Pharmacy First

    Visit your local pharmacy for expert advice and treatment for a range of common health conditions.

    Your pharmacist can also now provide some prescription medicine without you needing to see a GP. The new Pharmacy First service offers treatment for seven common conditions:

    • sinusitis
    • sore throat
    • acute earache
    • infected insect bite
    • impetigo
    • shingles
    • uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

    Video: Find out how the Pharmacy First service can help you.

    A pharmacist can also give advice and suggest the best treatments to help with hayfever symptoms.

    Visit the NHS website for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to read more about pharmacies

    Repeat medication and travel

    If you’re going on holiday this summer, make sure you have enough of your prescribed medications. You can easily order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, or by contacting your GP surgery.

    If you are on holiday in the UK and forget to bring your medication, contact your home GP. They can send a prescription to any pharmacy you choose, for you to collect close to where you are staying.

    Visit the NHS UK website for more information about repeat prescriptions

    How you can treat common illnesses at home

    Self-care is recommended when you have a common condition which doesn’t normally need medical care (from a doctor or nurse) or any treatment in order to get better.

    Many common illnesses can be treated at home, such as minor coughs, colds or common childhood illnesses.

    Visit the NHS website for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire for further information and advice about self-care.

    NHS self-care advice

    Be prepared to self-care and visit your local pharmacy to restock your medicine cabinet essentials to treat common illnesses.

    Video: Helpful things to have in your medicine cabinet.

    Be tick aware

    When spending time outdoors this summer, be tick aware. Ticks can carry dangerous diseases so it is important to check yourself, your children, pets, and clothes for ticks after spending time outside.

    Tick bites aren’t usually painful but they may cause a red lump to develop where you were bitten.

    In some cases, tick bites may cause:

    • swelling
    • itchiness
    • blistering
    • bruising
    Visit the Sirona care & health website for more information on how to prevent, check for, and remove ticks.

    Download the HANDi app for advice and support when your child is unwell

    The NHS HANDi app is designed by paediatric specialists and provides simple, straightforward advice for the following conditions in children:

    • diarrhoea and vomiting
    • high temperature
    • ‘chesty baby’ illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, asthma and croup
    • ‘chesty child’ illnesses, such as wheezing and asthma
    • common newborn problems
    • tummy pain
    • head injuries.

    Visit the NHS website for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to find out how to download the App.

    HANDi App

     

    A doctor holding up a mobile phone with the NHS HANDi app open.

    Staying active during the school holidays

    The NHS Better Health website has lots of resources to help families stay physically active and information about active hobbies and sports.

    Visit the NHS Better Health website

    School holiday activities and food programme

    If your child is aged between 5 to 16 years old and receives benefits-related free school meals they can access fully-funded activities and clubs during the school holidays.

    Find out more on your council’s website:

    Looking after your mental health

    If you need urgent help for mental health but it’s not an emergency, call 111 or your local NHS mental health helpline.

    If you need help with mental health but don’t know where to start, the NHS website for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire has information about mental health services, how they can help you and how to contact them.

    NHS information about mental health services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

    One of the best things we can do for our mental health and wellbeing is to be active. The change of season means longer days and warmer weather, giving plenty of opportunity to get active outside.

    Visit the NHS website for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire website for more information on exercise and keeping fit, including local support services and activies.

    Exercise and keeping fit

    Every Mind Matters

    If you are feeling stressed, anxious, low or can’t sleep, the NHS Every Mind Matters resources can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help boost your mental wellbeing.

    Visit the NHS UK Every Mind Matters website for more information.

    Every Mind Matters - NHS UK

    ChatHealth

    ChatHealth is a free and confidential text messaging service for 11-19 year olds.

    The service connects students to healthcare professionals who can support with a range of issues from relationships to healthy eating and bullying. The service runs during the school holidays as well as term time.

    Find out more about ChatHealth and how to message the service on the Sirona care & health website.

    ChatHealth - Sirona care & health

    When you’re feeling unwell or need medical help

    When you feel unwell or need medical help, using the right service can help you get the right care in the quickest way.

    The local NHS website for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire has information about NHS services, how they can help and how to contact them.

    Which NHS Service Should I use?

    For urgent advice and help in accessing the right service, contact NHS 111 at any time or visit the NHS website to find services near you.

    999 and A&E should be used for serious, life-threatening conditions only.

    NHS 111 NHS UK