VIDEO: A nurse originally from the Island is one of the faces of this year’s NHS Winter Stay Well campaign which is a nationwide campaign aimed to support people to prepare for winter and help to avoid illness.
Lorna Cousins was brought up in Shanklin and lived on the Island until 1996 when she left to undertake training to become a nurse. She is currently Deputy Sister on the respiratory ward at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester where she lives.
Lorna features on various posters and information leaflets encouraging parents to protect their 2,3 or 4-year-old child from flu with a simple nasal spray. A pilot programme last year showed vaccinating children had dual benefit; as well as protecting them from flu, it also protects others, such as parents, grandparents and siblings, as children are ‘super spreaders’ and are much more likely to infect others.
When Lorna was approached to be part of the winter campaign she didn’t hesitate in saying ‘yes’. Although Lorna is a nurse she is also a parent and understands the importance of ensuring children are protected from nasty illnesses such as flu.
Speaking about her involvement in the campaign, Lorna said:
“I was approached by a family friend who was looking for nurses to be part of the NHS winter flu campaign. I went for the casting and was picked. I am really keen to promote this as flu can be very serious.
“For young and vulnerable children like my son with asthma, they don’t want to miss parts of their childhood by being ill. For the elderly patients that I look after, a bad bout of flu could mean this is their last winter.”
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As well as protecting against flu, the NHS Stay Well This Winter campaign urges people over 65 or those with long-term health conditions, such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease or respiratory illness, to prepare for winter with advice on how to ward off common illnesses.
The NHS ‘Stay Well This Winter’ campaign urges the public to:
- Make sure you get your flu jab if eligible.
- Keep yourself warm – heat your home to least 18 degrees C or (65F) if you can
- If you start to feel unwell, even if it’s just a cough or a cold, then get help from your pharmacist quickly before it gets more serious.
- Make sure you get your prescription medicines before pharmacies close on Christmas Eve.
- Always take your prescribed medicines as directed.
- Look out for other people who may need a bit of extra help over winter.
A GP who spent time training at St. Mary’s Hospital on the Island also features in the Stay Well Winter Campaign. Dr Ranjan Dass features in the Stay Well television advert currently being broadcast, which can also be viewed below.
