Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir supports national Stay Well This Winter campaign

The Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir, who gained the prestigious Christmas Number One spot from Justin Bieber last year, have lent their support to the latest NHS Stay Well This Winter campaign by encouraging people most at risk from cold weather, including people age 65 or over and people with long-term health conditions, to prepare for the lower temperatures.

In a bid to keep people well over the winter months, the choir star in a Stay Well This Winter awareness film alongside their re-recording of the suitably apt, Baby It’s Cold Outside. As the choir members, all of whom are NHS staff, perform the song, we are reminded of the simple yet effective measures that people can take this winter to avoid the grave consequences of not looking after ourselves and the health of the vulnerable.

More people die over the course of each winter compared to other times of the year and there are a range of conditions worsened by the cold weather - 80 per cent of these deaths are accounted for by people with circulatory diseases (such as heart disease, lung illnesses and stroke), dementia and respiratory diseases (such as asthma).

Exposure to cold indoor or outdoor temperatures increases blood pressure, thereby increasing the risk of heart failure, kidney disease, stroke or dementia. Cold temperatures can also make blood more likely to clot, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke. In addition, cold can also affect the respiratory system, which reduces the lung's ability to fight off infection explaining why lower temperatures are linked with bronchitis and pneumonia.

Colder weather is not only associated with an increase in deaths but also has a significant impact on the number of people becoming ill, increasing the winter pressures felt by the health care services.

Stay Well This Winter important recommendations from the choir’s film are:

- Get the free flu jab if you are eligible

- Keep warm by heating your home to 18 degrees if possible and wrapping up

- Stock up on foods in case it’s too cold to go outdoors

- Visit the pharmacy at the first sign of illness.

Elizabeth Steele, Senior Physiotherapist from the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir adds: “We were thrilled to be back in the studio to have re-recorded Baby It’s Cold Outside and, whilst it’s been a great experience, the underlying messages in the accompanying film are serious and could mean the difference between life and death for the most vulnerable – that’s why we are delighted to be supporting this year’s Stay Well This Winter campaign. Every day in our jobs, we come across the harsh realities around the dangers of winter on people’s health.”

Pharmacist, Olutayo Arikawe, Priory Community Pharmacy in Dudley said: “Looking out for yourself and others in the cold weather is essential to keeping healthy. Make sure you, and those you know who may be particularly at risk from the cold, are as prepared as possible. If you qualify for the free flu jab, get it now. Also remember that eating a healthy, balanced diet and that staying physically active can keep you healthy. If we all look out for each other this winter we can really make a difference.”

To find out more about the Stay Well This Winter campaign please visit: www.nhs.uk/staywell