Right now, looking after ourselves is more important than ever
‘My Health Matters’ is a new campaign that aims to bring together tools, tips and resources that can help people across mid and south Essex to take care of themselves and support their health and wellbeing.
Everyone’s health is unique to them, as are the things that will help improve their wellbeing. There is no right or wrong way, it is simply about finding what is best for you to help you take control of your health.
We hope to use real-life examples of people in local communities across mid and south Essex taking control of their health and wellbeing in different ways.
We’re interested in ways people are connecting with their local areas, or certain tools or resources they are utilising to support their wellbeing.
By doing this, we hope to inspire and empower many others to do the same.
Get involved and tell us how you are staying healthy by using #MyHealthMattersMSE on social.
#LetsTalkAboutSuicide
Health and care partners across mid and south Essex have launched a new suicide prevention campaign offering FREE online training to everyone.
Resources
The ‘My Health Matters’ digital booklet provides an overview of national and local tools and resources available to support people to live well. It can easily be downloaded and stored on computers and smartphones for quick access or alternatively printed if that’s preferred.
The guide provides information and ideas about what’s available to help people to look after themselves and those they care for. This includes:
- Making the most out of digital apps and tools to easily access trusted information and advice from home
- Keeping active for better health – with information on local and national resources that can help you to stay physically fit
- Looking after your mental health – utilising local and national services such as talking therapies
- Support in the local community – including treating minor health conditions and practical and emotional support from specialist professionals such as social prescribers
- Local offers across mid and south Essex to help keep people well.
Please note, the booklet is not intended to be exhaustive, and if you think we may have missed information that may be useful, please get in touch at meccg.essex.incident.comms@nhs.net.
We hope to provide more information about local resources and assets through local people stories. To find out more about this, please take a look at our ‘local people stories’ and ‘getting involved’ sections on this page.
If you need an alternative version of this leaflet (e.g. a translated or large print version), please email meccg.essex.incident.comms@nhs.net.
Download My Health Matters Digital Booklet
Children’s health
We’re seeing an increase in respiratory illness in children as restrictions ease and people mix more, with cases higher than usual for this time of year and further increases expected over the winter months.
Symptoms of severe respiratory infection in children include a high temperature of 37.8°C or above (fever), a dry and persistent cough, difficulty feeding, rapid or noisy breathing (wheezing).
Most cases of respiratory illness are not serious and clear up within 2 to 3 weeks, but parents should contact their GP or call NHS 111 if:
- Their child struggles to breathe.
- Their child has taken less than half their usual amount during the last 2 or 3 feeds, or they have had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more.
- The child has a persistent high temperature of 37.8C or above.
Some children under 2, especially those born prematurely or with a heart condition, can suffer more serious consequences from these common respiratory infections.
Find out more about the symptoms and what to do here
Download NHS Bronchiolitis Advice Sheet
What is RSV?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the common viruses that cause coughs and colds in winter. Most adults and children will get a mild respiratory infection but it can be severe in infants under 2 and lead to bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis is an infection of the lower airways, that makes the airways inflamed and mucusy, making it harder to breathe.
Good respiratory and hand hygiene can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.
Make use of the NHS Essex Child Health App
The NHS Essex Child Health app is designed to give parents, grandparents and carers across Essex NHS advice about children’s health.
Local people stories
We are raising awareness of local people living or working across mid and south Essex and what matters to them when it comes to their health and wellbeing.
Our first featured case study is of Rochford-based, Billy, who lives with a long-term health condition known as Fibromyalgia.
Getting involved
We would like to raise awareness of local people across communities in mid and south Essex taking control of their health and wellbeing in different ways.
We’re interested in ways people are connecting with local areas, certain tools or resources to support their wellbeing.
By sharing people stories, we hope to inspire and empower others to do the same.
If you have a story to share please contact us by emailing: meccg.essex.incident.comms@nhs.net with ‘My Health Matters campaign’ in the subject line or get involved by using the hashtag #MyHealthMattersMSE on social media.
You can also use this form by visiting: bit.ly/mhmsubmission to submit a case study if you are interested in taking part and being a featured case study in future.
Getting in touch
If you have any questions about the campaign, opportunities to share or getting involved, please feel free to email kaltrina.bajrami@nhs.net or meccg.essex.incident.comms@nhs.net.