Get expert advice this summer with the Healthier Together website

While the arrival of warm temperatures and sunny skies in summer is usually welcome, it’s good to know what health challenges children and families may face this season to help them stay safe when out and about or at home enjoying the sunshine.

With the summer holidays fast approaching, many families may be traveling abroad. Therefore, it’s important families ensure everyone is vaccinated to protect from serious diseases found overseas.

For those families staying closer to home, holidaying in the UK or just heading to the beach or elsewhere for a day out, knowing how to stay safe in the sun and around water will help to reduce stress and worry so they can focus on having fun.

There is a bespoke website, created by clinical leaders of local health and care services that can help with useful information and trusted advice, all in one place and directly from health professionals.

The Hertfordshire and west Essex Healthier Together website advises on the common symptoms of a number of childhood conditions, what steps you should take to treat them at home and when to think about getting further help.

This includes advice on:

• travel vaccinations
• managing allergies, stings and bites
• summer safety including top tips on sun, water and road safety
• helping young people make healthy behaviour choices in relation to alcohol, smoking and drugs.

Professionals also use this website for information to share during appointments.
Dr Rachel Joyce, Medical director for Herts and West Essex ICB, said: “It is sometimes hard to know what your next steps are when your children are unwell and what to look out for in those symptoms if they are normal or you should get extra medical help.

“This website gives parents that information about a range of common childhood illnesses, all in one place and supplied by trusted health experts, to make that decision. It also has a range of information on important topics and places you can get extra support.”

Please share this website with your own friends and family this summer and help them get much needed support and advice for their own loved ones when they need it.