Winter is coming and Hato Hone St John is encouraging
people to focus on prioritising winter wellness to avoid
becoming seriously ill over the colder months.
Dr
Damian Tomic, Hato Hone St John Deputy Chief Executive
Clinical Services, says everyone can do their bit to stay on
top of their physical and mental wellbeing to keep
themselves and their whānau well throughout the
year.
“Help us to help you and your whānau this
winter by doing all you can to remain healthy throughout the
year,” Dr Tomic says.
“Preventing serious illness
this winter can start by getting your flu vaccination and
COVID-19 boosters on time, keeping on top of other
medications, eating healthy, exercising and getting enough
sleep.”
Dr Tomic says practising the healthy habits
we learnt during the pandemic, like staying home and taking
a Covid-19 test if you do become unwell, regular
handwashing, sneezing and coughing into your elbow and
social distancing will also go a long way towards staying
well and protecting those around you.
“It’s also a
good idea to wear a face mask when using public transport,
when in indoor settings such as shops and supermarkets or
when it is hard to physically distance from other
people.
“These practical and simple steps play a big
part in limiting the spread of infection,” he
says.
Taking charge of keeping well will also help
ease pressure on the wider health
system.
“Hospitals, GPs, the ambulance sector and
other community health providers continue to face ongoing
prolonged increased demand for services, which are only
expected to increase as the cold and flu season takes hold.
Our incredible health workforce is under pressure and
limiting the spread of infection will make a real difference
in making sure that the health system can provide the right
care, in the right place, to those that need it this
winter.” Dr Tomic says.
He says Hato Hone St John
has initiatives in place to reduce pressure on the ambulance
and wider health system and is working collaboratively with
Te Whatu Ora to raise public awareness of the range of
medical care options for common winter
illnesses.
“While we’re taking steps to help the
communities who need us this winter, it’s also important
for whānau to have a plan in place for when there is
sickness in the household. Thinking about things like do you
have people you can rely upon for support. Creating a winter
wellness kete can help get you through.
“This might
include paracetamol and ibuprofen, a thermometer, tissues,
cold and flu medications, enough food and household items
for a few days, and a good stock of the regular medicines
you or your whānau will need.”
Dr Tomic says should
you or your whānau become unwell, most people should be
able to manage at home by resting, keeping up their fluids
and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Keeping your home
warm and dry is also important for staying well. The Healthy
Homes web page has good tips and information about
insulation funding through the Warmer Kiwi Homes
programme.
“And don’t forget that winter can also
affect our moods and for some it can become quite
debilitating – this is known as Seasonal Affective
Disorder.
“For people affected by recent weather
events this year, your moods are probably already low, so
make sure you seek help early if it’s getting all a bit
too much.”
Get help online at www.depression.org.nz
or www.SPARX.org.nz
If
you need health advice, call Healthline for free 24/7 on
0800-611-116 to speak with a registered nurse or call your
general practice. If you’re struggling to breathe or
it’s an emergency call 111.
ABOUT HATO HONE ST
JOHN
- Hato Hone St John provides emergency
ambulance services to 90 percent of New Zealanders and
covers 97 percent of the country’s geographical
area. - Hato Hone St John is made up of a mix of
full-time paid employees and volunteer staff. - Hato
Hone St John has contracts with Te Whatu Ora Health New
Zealand and ACC who fund approximately 90 percent of the
operating costs for the ambulance service. The balance on
what is required to run the service is made up from
ambulance part charges, third-party contracts, and
fundraising. - Along with the emergency ambulance
service, Hato Hone St John provides a significant number of
community health programmes and initiatives which help build
community resilience. They include Health Shuttles, Caring
Caller, Friends of the Emergency Department, St John Youth,
ASB St John in Schools, and Therapy Pets. - Hato Hone
St John also delivers event health services, medical alarm
services, first aid training and operates retail stores
across the
country.
© Scoop Media
Discussion about this post