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As the country braces itself for yet much more heavy rain at the weekend, NHS Direct has urged anyone on medication to remember to:

– Think ahead and purchase any repeat prescriptions just in case flooding prevents them from getting to the pharmacy at a later stage
– Where possible keep all medication on the second floor and if possible in a water-tight container
– Pack all necessary medicines within the unfortunate event of having to be evacuated.

NHS Direct is also stressing how critical it’s not to take any medication that may have been damaged by flood water. In this situation it really is advisable, if possible, to speak towards the local pharmacist and if necessary buy replacement medication.

The 24-hour telephone service (0845 4647) is poised to take calls from anyone concerned by flood-related health issues.

NHS Direct has also posted comprehensive wellness advice on its website (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk) – relevant information, sourced from the Wellness Protection Agency, is also now offered on NHS Direct Interactive digital TV.

Floodwater and sewage typically leaves muddy deposits. However, experience from previous flooding and sewage contamination has shown that any risk to wellness is small. Well being risks can be minimised by taking general hygiene precautions and by the use of protective clothing (waterproof boots and gloves) whilst cleaning up.

Harmful bacteria may be present in sewage and animal slurry, and this can pass into flood water, although it can be most likely to be extremely diluted. If you or anyone in your family members gets symptoms including sickness, diarrhoea or tummy cramps, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or speak with your GP.

Those affected by the flooding may also need to take some time to consider their mental health at the same time. Sleeplessness, anxiety, anger, hyperactivity, mild depression, or tiredness are normal, and may go away with time. If you get any of these symptoms long-term contact NHS Direct or your GP.

There is also plenty of other advice available on NHS Direct On the web and on the digital TV channels, like suggestions about:

– Cleaning up inside your home
– Cleaning gardens and play areas
– Cleaning clothes and bedding
– Returning to your home
– Food preparation and storage
– If your drinking water becomes contaminated
– How to deal with chemical hazards

NHS Direct has these days also supplied the Humanitarian Centre in Sheffield with relevant contact materials – leaflets and health credit cards.

NHS Direct provides confidential well being advice and data around the clock. If you are feeling ill, and are unsure what to do; would like to find out far more about a condition or therapy; or need details of local well being services, NHS Direct can assist. You can:
– visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk;
– go to NHS Direct Interactive on digital TV – on Sky Digital, press the ‘Interactive’ button and scroll down the menu to page 2 – on Freeview, go to Channel 108;
– or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647*.

– *Calls expense a maximum of 5 pence per minute from a BT landline. Calls from mobiles as well as other networks may vary. Your service provider may charge a minimum price per call. A confidential interpretation service is available in numerous languages. For patients’ safety, calls to NHS Direct are recorded
– NHS Direct is in the forefront of 24 hour well being care delivering telephone and e-health data services day and night direct to the public
– NHS Direct provides health information and advice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.– NHS Direct handles around 6.5 million telephone calls a year
– The NHS Direct website http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk attracts approximately 2 million visits every single month
– NHS Direct on Freeview was launched just before Christmas 2006 and together with all the service on Sky Digital means that over 14 million households have access to hundreds of pages packed with well being data. These consist of:
- Answers to common well being questions,
- Advice on healthy living for example: eating properly, exercise and giving up smoking
- Data about NHS Services
- Features on long-term wellness conditions
- News on present health issues
– NHS Direct is accessed on Freeview by going to channel 108.
– NHS Direct Interactive on Sky Digital TV consists of 3000 pages of information on 500 health topics.
– NHS Direct Interactive on Sky Digital is accessed by pressing the interactive button on the Sky Digital remote control, scrolling down to NHS Direct Interactive and pressing Select.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk