Looking after your health during the Cost of Living crisis.
As the cost of living crisis challenges our basic human needs, rising costs mean many of us are having to adapt our spending to keep on top of expenses.
Check out our tips on how to look after your health during a cost of living crisis.
Prioritise your health. If you have a chronic condition, a new illness causing concern or feel under the weather, seek the appropriate professional healthcare support. Many pharmacists can support you with everyday health concerns, meaning you may not need to visit your GP. You should only go to a hospital in an emergency.
Take your medication. Many of us take medication to stay healthy and manage existing health conditions. With the recent increase in prescription charges, rationing medicines to save money may seem like a good idea, but it can lead to health complications in the long run. You might be eligible for support with your prescription with a Prescription Prepayment Certificate. Prescriptions are free for those over 60.
Keep your appointments. Please attend any pre-arranged or regular appointments with your GP, dentist, optician or hospital. If you're worried about the increase in transport fares, check out what support is available when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services here.
Talk to someone. Lots of charities offer free support if you need to talk to someone about your physical or mental health, and some give financial advice if you're struggling. Many charities will gladly point you towards further help in your community or local area.
Halton Mental Health Info Point
Get the support you're entitled to. Make sure you're getting all the benefits and grants you're eligible for. Citizens Advice is a great place to start if you want help on anything from housing to debt management.
Speak to your local council. Most local councils offer residents support and advice about the cost of living crisis.
Find out about cost of living information and support (halton.gov.uk)
Find a warm hub. In response to the crisis, ' warm hubs' or spaces have been set up across local areas to provide a warm place for people to go.
Find a Warm Welcome Space Today
Halton libraries stay warm and well.
Seek help from a food bank. Many people buy less food because of current financial pressures, which can significantly impact physical and mental health. If you're struggling to feed yourself or your family, there is no shame in asking for help from a food bank. You can find food banks near you on the Trussell Trust website.
Local foodbanks include: Widnes foodbank and Runcorn foodbank
Speak to us, at Healthwatch Halton. If you need advice and information about health and care services, or information on local support contact us at: enquiries@healthwatchhalton.co.uk or call 0300 777 6543
Need more support? Check out these helpful links for further advice and information on coping with the cost of living crisis:
Hygiene poverty is on the rise. Are you affected?
Hygiene poverty has steadily risen since the start of the pandemic and has only worsened during the cost of living crisis. A reported 4.2 million adults in the UK are now affected in 2024.
People with disabilities, or long term health conditions, those from lower-income backgrounds, younger adults and those from ethnic minority backgrounds are amongst those most affected by hygiene poverty.
If you are struggling to afford personal hygiene products, help is available:
Bloody Good Period provide free personal hygiene products that can be collected from some community services such as food banks and drop in services.
