Winter can make some illnesses worse, and there will be circumstances beyond our control where we may find ourselves unwell.
But there are some things we can do, and now is a good time to start putting some plans in place.
Firstly, please get a flu jab. This is an easy form of protection.
If you have an ongoing health condition, consider a visit with your general practice to discuss your health needs, issues you may need to watch out for, and when to seek further help.
We know not all houses in the South are as warm and dry as we would like. But there are cost-effective steps we can take to reduce moisture and make homes easier to heat. Advice on heating options and subsidies can be found at www.cosyhomes.org.nz
Making it easier to get help early is one of the reasons we have been focused on supporting general practices to work more flexibly, through the Health Care Home programme. This will lead to new ways of working, including telephone consultations, and greater use of technology, so doctors and nurses have more time for longer consultations with those who need it the most.
We were also excited to launch a new School of Pharmacy Clinic with the University of Otago, to help people get the most out of their medications regimes. The Southern district has a high rate of people on multiple medications, which can lead to further risks and complications, so this is a further step towards supporting people to stay well.
Finally, congratulations to the team at the Maniototo Health Trust on the opening of their redeveloped aged care facility. This is a significant achievement for the community, and the result of their dedicated fundraising efforts. It contributes to a network of care across the district, and speaks to the Trust’s commitment to delivering quality care closer to home for their people.
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