Heatwave health warning

Summer skyline over Bradford Place, Walsall today (pic Stuart WIlliams)

With a week of hot weather on the horizon, and temperatures rocketing already today, Walsall families are being reminded by Walsall Council and the NHS how they can enjoy the sunshine while looking after their health.

A Level Two heat health warning has been issued for the West Midlands with temperatures of 30 degrees predicted over the week.

The level two warning is triggered as soon as the Met Office confirms there is a 60 per cent chance of heatwave conditions, when temperatures are high enough to have a significant effect on health on at least two consecutive days.

Councillor Rose Martin, public health and wellbeing portfolio holder: said it was important for Walsall residents to be aware of the health risks associated with heatwave temperatures.

“We want everyone to enjoy this hot spell safely in Walsall and not suffer any ill effects,” she said.

“We are reminding people of Public Health England’s key tips for staying safe and well and also asking them to be mindful of vulnerable friends or neighbours in their communities who can be affected by such high temperatures.

“So many people are getting out and about in our parks and countryside sites, or making the most of a safe swim at our leisure centres during this warm weather and it’s a lovely sight to see.

“But it’s been a while since we had such high temperatures and we want people to remember this summer for all the right reasons, not because they suffered as a result.”

The key tips to remember during such a hot spell are:

• Try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
• If you are in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat
• Avoid physical exertion
• Wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes
• Drink plenty of cold drinks and cool foods such as salads
• Keep medicines below 25 °C or in the refrigerator
• Look out for others, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses
• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals

Remember that it can get uncomfortably hot indoors too. Try to keep your bedroom and living space cool, by closing the curtains on windows that receive the sun and opening your windows at cooler times of the day and overnight when safe to do so. Turn off non-essential lights and electrical items as these generate heat.

Walsall’s health and social care workers in the community, hospitals and care homes will also regularly check on vulnerable residents who are known to them.

Residents in Walsall can find useful tips via @phwalsall or Public Health England at www.gov.uk/phe and if you have any health queries to contact NHS 111.

NHS invites residents to PPG meetings

NHS Walsall has issued an invitation to local residents to take part in their Patient Participation Groups.  Officials are keen to encourage patients of General Practitioners to make their views on health services known by taking up these new opportunities to communicate with their neighbourhood practice.

Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) have been set up to empower patients by giving them the opportunity to join and talk about any issues and concerns they may have as well as looking at ways to resolve them, though the groups are not complaints forums as such.

A series of PPG meetings are now taking place at local surgeries are open to anyone interested, and are timed as follows:

• Sina Health Centre – 16 February at 11am
• Harden Health Centre (Drs Kaur and Dr Gill) – 16 February at 12pm
• Sai Medical Center (formerly Dr Ray) – 22 February at 6 pm
• Blakenall Meadow and Village Practice – 28 February at 10 am
• Chapel St Surgery – 29 February at 1pm

The groups will help to support practices in achieving their targets and objectives, and to educate patients about managing their health more effectively.  Patients will also be helped to get more  involved in decisions about the Practice and their own health.

Group meetings normally take place 4 times a year and last for around an hour.

People interested in joining a PPG can approach their GP surgery directly or contact Karen Goldsmith, Involvement Co-ordinator for NHS Walsall via Karen.goldsmith@walsall.nhs.uk or by telephone on 01922 618380.