Welcome to our community update. This is NHS North West London's newsletter for local community and voluntary groups.
Please help us by sharing the relevant content in your community newsletters and email updates aimed at your members and residents. You may also use this wording in social media posts. Images and some campaign materials in different languages are available on our resources page.
Pharmacy opening hours during the festive season
Your local pharmacy can offer advice on a range of illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, ear infections and aches and pains. They can also give advice about medicines.
Due to the different opening hours over the festive period, we are also encouraging residents to make sure they have the medication they need by ordering and collecting prescriptions in good time.
Stay well this winter: free vaccinations for eligible groups It is not too late to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations this winter.
The NHS has seen an increase in people being hospitalised, especially by flu.
If you are over 65, pregnant, a carer or have certain health conditions you are eligible for free vaccination.
Full details of how you can book along with details of vaccination centres in north west London can be found here.
People over 75 and those who are pregnant (over 28 weeks) are also recommended to have the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine. Find out more on the NHS website.
Early feedback from the specialist palliative care consultation
Proposed improvements to adult community specialist palliative care services across north west London have been broadly welcomed by residents in the early stages of public consultation.
Many people have said they agree with plans to introduce enhanced end-of-life care beds to address gaps in care, but some concerns have been raised over travel accessibility, workforce shortages and the potential permanent closure of Pembridge Palliative Care Centre inpatient beds.
