Winter Sorted

Find everything you need to stay well this winter.

From vaccinations and managing winter illnesses to keeping warm, accessing local support and finding the right care, our Winter Well team is here to help you and your family stay safe, well and connected throughout the winter months.

Meet the Winter Well team

Say hello to our Winter Well team.

These friendly faces will be sharing advice, tips and information throughout the winter to help you:

stay well
access the right care
make the most of the services available across Ayrshire and Arran

Community pharmacy

Guidance on common winter illnesses and how your local pharmacy can help

Emergency and urgent care

Information on when to seek urgent or emergency care and when other services may be more appropriate

Eye care

Advice on looking after your eye health and the support available from local optometry services this winter

Falls prevention advice

Practical advice to help you stay steady, active and reduce your risk of falls this winter

GP Practice services

Information about GP services and opening times, and helping you understand the best way to access care

Respiratory services

Offering tips to keep your lungs healthy and helping you manage respiratory conditions during winter

Visiting information

Advice for relatives and friends visiting a loved one in hospital this winter

Wellbeing advice

Advice, support and resources to help you stay healthy, well and connected this winter

Winter vaccinations

Information on vaccinations and where to get yours this winter

When to phone NHS 24 for urgent care

If you think you need to visit A&E but it’s not life threatening, you can phone NHS 24 on 111 free of charge. During normal working hours always contact your own GP for urgent advice and treatment. The 111 service cannot arrange appointments at your GP. The 111 service is busiest at weekends and public holidays. During these times, callers will have the option to request a call back instead of waiting on hold.

NHS 24 can help you access the right care, in the right place, as quickly as possible, often closer to home and without the need to go to A&E.

Phone 111 if:

you think you need to go to A&E but it’s not life threatening
you’re too ill to wait for your GP practice to open

Right care, right place

Accessing the right care in the right place can help you find the support, treatment and advice you need quickly, and as close to home as possible

Know before you go

For sore throats, earaches and other acute common conditions, visit your local pharmacy

Winter ready

Be prepared for winter with simple steps to help keep you and your family safe and well.

Running out of medication can be especially difficult during winter and public holiday periods, when services may be busier and opening hours can vary.

Order your repeat prescriptions in plenty of time, and check you have enough medication to last over holiday periods and periods of severe weather.

Many healthcare services operate different opening hours during public holidays. Planning ahead can help you get the care you need when you need it.

Think about:

ordering prescriptions early
finding out where to access advice, and which local services are available

Cold weather, snow, ice and storms can disrupt travel and everyday routines.

Prepare by:

keeping an eye on weather forecasts
ensuring you have essential supplies at home
topping up heating where needed
making a plan for how you’ll access food, medicines and support if conditions worsen

A little preparation can help keep you and your loved ones safe and well throughout the winter.

Being prepared can help you manage common winter illnesses at home.

Keep a supply of everyday essentials such as pain relief, cough and cold remedies, a thermometer, first aid supplies and any regular medications so you’re ready if illness strikes.

Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of cold weather.

This includes:

older adults
babies and young children
pregnant women
people with disabilities
those living with long-term physical or mental health conditions
people experiencing financial hardship

You can make a real difference during the winter months by:

regularly checking in on family, friends and neighbours
helping them stay warm
ensuring they have food, medication and support

If someone in an at-risk group starts to feel unwell, it’s important they seek advice as early as possible.

Keeping warm during the winter months can help protect your health and reduce the risk of illness.

Try to keep the rooms you use most at a comfortable temperature, especially if you:

are elderly
have a health condition
are more vulnerable to the cold

Symptom self-management

For health advice and self-care support all year round, try the NHS Inform symptom checker, which provides guidance on a wide range of common symptoms and health conditions

If you think you need urgent care, call NHS 24 on 111.

Stay safe and well this winter

Winter Illness – NHS Inform

Sexual Health Services

Alcohol & Drug Support

Mental Health Services

Dental Emergencies

Ready Scotland

Winter weather and travel advice

It’s important to plan well this winter if you are thinking of travelling. If the weather is bad, consider if it would be worth holding off on your travel plans until it improves.

Travel information and weather updates