With a few simple steps you can look after yourself and your family this winter
- Check your repeat prescription, order only what you need, in plenty of time.
- If you become unwell see the symptom checkers and self-help guides on NHS Inform for advice.
- It takes around 10 days for vaccines to give you maximum protection so check who is eligible for winter vaccines and get details of local drop-in vaccination clinics on our Winter Vaccinations page to protect you and your family this winter.
- If you need health advice or treatment then find out how to get the right care in the right place, as quickly as possible.
View the different sections below for more information on how to look after yourself and your family this winter.
Help When You’re Unwell or Need Health Advice
For information on common symptoms and what to do about them visit the NHS Inform symptom checkers and self-help guides. These include advice on flu-like illnesses, coughs, fevers, stomach pain, vomiting, headaches and sore throats as well as mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and panic attacks.
If you are unsure which service is right for you, visit our Guide to Local Services for details of local services or phone the NHS Inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88 (Mon – Fri from 8.00am to 6.00pm)
Minor Injuries, Illnesses or Urgent Health Advice
Call NHS 24 first on 111 for:
- Healthcare advice
- A telephone or video consultation with a local healthcare professional
- A minor injuries appointment so you don’t have to wait if you need to be seen
To make sure you get the right care in the right place visit our Guide to Local Services. or see the Right Care Right Place section on NHS Inform
Local Pharmacies
If you have a minor illness, such as a cold, an upset stomach or general aches and pains, your local pharmacy is the first place you should go for advice. Your local pharmacy can offer health consultations and provide free medication for many common conditions without the need for a GP prescription under the Pharmacy First scheme.
For more information visit the Your Local Pharmacy section of our Guide to Local Services.
GP Practice Teams
GP Practices are dealing with very high levels of demand and are working really hard to prioritise appointments for patients who need to be seen urgently. However, its important to remember that you can now see a wider range of healthcare professionals at your GP Practice including physiotherapists, mental health workers and Advanced Nurse Practitioners so you might not always need to see a GP.
Reception staff have been trained to ask questions when you call so they can direct you to the most appropriate member of the Practice Team – so please be kind when you call as they are working closely with GPs to help get you the advice and treatment you need as quickly as possible.
For more information visit the GP Practice Team section of our Guide to Local Services.
Dental Practices
If you’re experiencing dental problems such as tooth pain, swollen or bleeding gums, or an injury to your mouth, your local dental practice should be the first place you contact. If you’re not registered with a dentist, contact the Forth Valley Dental Helpline on 01324 614670 (Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm), visit NHS inform or for dental emergencies call NHS 24 on 111.
For more information visit the Dental Service section of our Guide to Local Services.
Opticians
If you’re experiencing eye problems such as a red or sticky eye, blurred vision, or flashes and floaters, please contact your optometrist who will be able to assist you.
For more information visit the Eye Problems section of our Guide to Local Services or visit NHS Inform for advice on common eye problems.
Mental Health Advice & Support
For mental health information and support visit NHS Inform or see our Mental Health & Wellbeing section.
You can also call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 (Monday – Thursday 6.00pm to 2.00am and weekends Friday 6.00pm to Monday 6.00am).
If you need urgent mental health support, you can visit NHS Inform , contact your GP Practice Team or call NHS 24 on 111.
Local Councils and Community Advice
Clackmannanshire Council has an out-of-hours emergency number which you can call on 01259 450000 and you can also contact them via email on customerservice@clacks.gov.uk
Falkirk Council has useful advice, as well as information on support available with energy costs, including grants for people living in the Falkirk Council area. They have an emergency helpline which you can contact on 01324 506070. If your call is not an emergency you can email them via contact.centre@falkirk.gov.uk
Stirling Council can be contacted via their website’s enquiry form or you can call them on 01786 404040.
Ready Scotland have provided simple steps to reduce the harm that unexpected events cause you. Their website contains information and advice about the ways that individuals, groups and local businesses can support their communities through challenging situations.
The British Red Cross is available over the festive period should anyone need short term use of a wheelchair or commode. If you, or someone you care for is recovering from a short-term injury or ailment, a wheelchair can make a significant difference to their recovery, mental health and well-being.
Help during the cost of living crisis – If you need urgent help with money, food or fuel. Your local council may be able to help if you need urgent help with things like food, heating and electricity.
Weather and Travel Advice
Sign up to receive the latest weather warnings in your area directly from the Met Office. Or download their app for the latest information where you are. To help get the most out of their advice, you may wish to learn more about their warning system, e.g. what the colour of each type of warning means.
If you’re travelling by road, Traffic Scotland host an interactive map which provides information on all incidents, roadworks, travel warnings and more on Scotland’s major roads. You can also check live traffic cameras across the country to monitor road conditions before you set off.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) offers a live flood update service called Floodline. If you live in a flood-risk area or are concerned about flooding, you can sign up for free flood warnings by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or by visiting their signup page.
Get the latest updates on your rail route with ScotRail’s live network map. Check the service on a single route, or see the whole network at a glance. Make sure you also sign up for JourneyCheck alerts on your regular journeys.
Think about how you’re going to get home when you’re out and about during the festive season, before you head out – and remember to consider any journeys the morning after. Even if you’re slightly over the limit, in the eyes of the law you are a criminal. There’s no grey area. Find out more at Road Safety Scotland.
Protect Your Home
If you are experiencing an unexpected loss of supply or emergency, you can check if it is on the Latest In Your Area map on the Scottish Water website. You can report any new problems, on their dedicated portal.
If you experience loss of power, call 105, which will connect you to the correct network operator for your region. You can also call 105 if you spot damage to electricity power lines and substations that could put you, or someone else, in danger. If there’s a serious immediate risk, you should call the emergency services too.
Police Scotland have a lot of good festive safety information on their website. Remember, the 101 number is to be used for non-emergencies when contacting the police and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In an emergency, dial 999.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have some good advice on Winter safety at home including checking your smoke and heat alarms are working, replacing batteries if necessary.
Home Energy Scotland is an advice service funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Energy Saving Trust. People in Scotland can get advice about creating a warmer, more energy efficient home and reducing energy bills, as well as financial support, including grants and 0% loans.
Financial Help
Clackmannanshire Council has various benefits and support with employment available to people living in the Clackmannanshire area depending circumstances.
Falkirk Council has money advice for residents of Falkirk who are worried about debt or are struggling to manage your money, we can help. Last year over 1000 people in the Falkirk Council area got help from local money advice services.
Stirling Council has advice, information and support with welfare benefits, money, debt and digital inclusion available to residents of Stirling area.
Could you, or someone you know, be missing out on Pension Credit? Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. Visit GOV.uk to find out if you qualify for extra help.
Some people in Scotland get can get help with energy bills. This includes schemes like the Winter Heating Payment which is a single payment towards heating your home in winter. Visit MyGOV.scot to find out if you are eligible.