6 Ways to Stay Well this Winter

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire West Voluntary Action and Healthwatch Cheshire West have put this guide together to help residents stay well this winter.

1: Pharmacy First: Fast, Free Advice Without a GP Appointment
The NHS Pharmacy First service is available across Cheshire. Get expert advice and treatment for seven common conditions directly from your local pharmacist—no GP appointment needed. How it works:

• Walk-in access at participating pharmacies
• No appointment required
• Private consultation rooms
• Free consultations (standard NHS prescription charges apply unless exempt)

Conditions Treated (age):

• Sinusitis (12+)
• Sore throat (5+)
• Earache (1–17)
• Infected insect bites (1+)
• Impetigo (1+)
• Shingles (18+)
• UTIs (women aged 16–64)

Find a pharmacy via the NHS website, your GP surgery, or by visiting your local pharmacy.
Pharmacy consultations added to your NHS App record

2: Welcoming Spaces in Cheshire West

Looking for a warm, friendly place this winter? TheWarm Welcome Campaignconnects you with venues offeringfree heated spacesto relax, socialise, and enjoy refreshments.
What’s Available:
Libraries
Community centres
Churches
Use the Warm Welcome Directory to search by postcode. Find aWARM WELCOME

3: GP Online Services – New Access Hours from October 2025

Starting October 1, 2025, all NHS GP practices in England must keep their online consultation tools open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.to end the “8 a.m. scramble.” Key features:
Submit non-urgent requests during core hours
Medication queries and admin tasks included
Use the NHS GP Practice Digital Front Door (Patchs) via your GP Practice website to submit your online consultation. There are several options available, and dependent on the request, this will be directed to the appropriate clinician or care navigator to process.
Register for Patchs Digital GP Online service

4: Flu Vaccine Eligibility – Winter 2025/26

Protect yourself and others this winter with thefree NHS flu vaccineavailable to the following eligible groups:

• Pregnant women
• Children aged 2–3 (via GP)
• School-aged children (Reception–Year 11)
• Children 6 months–17 years with long-term conditions
• Adults 65+ (including those 65 by 31-3-26)
• Care home residents
• Frontline health and social care workers
• Adults 18–64 in clinical risk groups
• Carers and household contacts of immunocompromised individuals

Find out more about eligibility athttps://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/wintervaccines

Get vaccinated at your GP surgery, pharmacy, maternity service, care home, CWP Living Well Bus (below) or workplace.

5 Covid-19 Vaccine Eligibility – Winter 2025/26

The free NHS COVID-19 vaccine is available to the following eligible people:

• Aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2026)
• Aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
• Live in a care home for older adults

If you are eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine:
Walk-in site available at the Tarvin Community Centre on Meadow Close. or you can book an appointment usng this link

6: CWP Living Well Bus – Free Health Services Near You

The CWP Living Well Bus offers free drop-in health checks and support across Cheshire and Wirral. Services may include:

• Routine immunisations
• Blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose checks
• BMI checks
• Cervical screening (female staff)
• Mental health support
• Healthy lifestyle advice

The Bus will be offering winter vaccines (Flu and Covid-19), children’s immunisations and health checks this autumn. Drop in to any of our sessions below:

Upcoming Dates Cheshire West:
Friday, October 1710:30-16:00 – High Street Care Park, Malpas, SY14 8NW
Monday, October 20 10:30-16:00 – Ellesmere Port Car Park (Asda/Precinct) CH65 0BZ
Wednesday, October 22 10:30-13:00 – Asda Saltney, CH4 8RH

Or view more dates on our wider timetable athttps://www.cwp.nhs.uk/livingwellservice

Stay Connected

Need help accessing services? Reach out to your local pharmacy or GP surgery.
Let’s stay healthy and warm together this winter!