Self Care

We are a self care practice, ensuring our patients are aware that many illnesses, ailments and injuries can be self cared for at home. Please visit our wellbeing pages, referrals or NHS health A to Z for further information.

Treat yourself at home

You may be able to save a trip to the surgery by treating yourself at home.

The NHS website has guidance for how to treat yourself if you have:

It’s a good idea to keep the following at home:

– paracetamol and aspirin – children under 16 and people with asthma should not take aspirin
– mild laxatives
– anti-diarrhoea medicines
– rehydration mixture
– indigestion remedy – for example, antacids
– travel sickness tablets
– sunscreen – SPF15 or higher
– sunburn treatment – for example, calamine
– tweezers and sharp scissors
– a thermometer
– a selection of plasters, non-absorbent cotton wool, elastic bandages and dressings
A lot of people visit their GP for a respiratory tract infection, for example a sinus, throat or chest infection.
These are usually caused by viruses, which means antibiotics are not needed.
These infections will normally clear up by looking after yourself at home with rest, plenty of fluids and paracetamol.

Each year 25% of the population visit their GP for a respiratory tract infection (eg sinus, throat or chest infection). These are usually caused by viruses.

For patients who are otherwise healthy, antibiotics are not necessary for viral infections.

These infections will normally clear up by looking after yourself at home with rest, plenty of fluids and paracetamol.

Ear infections typically last 4 days
– 89% of cases clear up on their own

A sore throat typically lasts 7 days
– 40% of cases clear up after 3 days and 90% after 7 days without antibiotics

Sinusitis typically lasts 17 days
– 80% clear up in 14 days without antibiotics

Cough/bronchitis typically lasts 21 days
– Antibiotics reduce symptoms by only 1 day

Antibiotics only work for infections caused by bacteria.

Taking unnecessary antibiotics for viral infections should be avoided because they may not be effective next time you have a bacterial infection.

Patients with long-term conditions such as asthma, diabetes and COPD are eligible for flu and pneumococcal vaccinations. Ask at reception for more information.

Read the NHS website guidance about antibiotics.
  • Remember to:
    – keep medicine in a secure, locked place out of reach of small children
    – read instructions and use the suggested dose
    – watch expiry dates – do not keep or use medicines past their sell-by date
    – take all unwanted and out-of-date medicines back to the pharmacy

Pharmacists

See a pharmacist

Pharmacists can offer professional advice and over the counter medicine for minor illnesses, for example:

  • coughs
  • colds
  • sore throats
  • tummy trouble
  • aches and pains

If it turns out to be more serious, pharmacists can make sure you get the help you need. This may include seeing a GP or nurse.

Read the NHS website guidance on how your pharmacy can help.

Other NHS services

As well as our practice, there are many other local NHS services you can contact for health advice, information or treatment.