SOUTH Cumbria health professionals are advising people with long term conditions to take extra precautions to look after their health this winter.

Bay Health and Care Partners, including University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group, GP Provider Alliance, Lancashire County Council, Cumbria County Council, Lancashire Care Foundation Trust, NWAS and Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, are urging people with long term conditions to take extra care of their health.

The cold and damp weather, ice, snow and high winds can all aggravate any existing health problems and make us more vulnerable to respiratory winter illnesses. But there are lots of things you can do to manage your conditions and stay well this winter.

They include: having an up-to-date personalised care plan; getting your winter flu jab; going to your pharmacist for advice at the first sign of illness; thinking ahead to make sure you don;t run out of vital medications; knowing when NHS service near your home are open; and only going to A & E departments for emergencies.