<h2>Get the Right Treatment</h2> <p><strong>Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that can be easily resolved without a doctor's appointment.</strong></p> <p>It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete's foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.</p> <h2>Self-care</h2> <p><a href="http://www.selfcareforum.org/" target="_blank"> <img style="width: 175px; float: right;" alt="Self Care Aware" src="/images/selfcareaware.jpg" /> </a>Keeping a well stocked medicine cabinet at home can help you treat many minor ailments. Colds, coughs, indigestion and many other minor complaints can all be treated with medicines that are available over the counter.</p> <p>Your pharmacist can advise on what you might find useful to keep in your medicine cabinet. Always follow the instructions on the medicine label and consult your doctor if the illness continues or becomes more severe.</p> <h2>Your Local Pharmacist</h2> <p><img style="height: 117px; width: 125px; float: right; border-width: 0px;" alt="local pharmacy" src="/images/localpharmacy.jpg" />Pharmacists offer professional free health advice at any time - you don't need an appointment. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses. They can answer questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. Your local Pharmacist can also advise on healthy eating. </p> <p>Pharmacists can also advise on health eating, obesity and giving up smoking. Some pharmacists have private areas where you can talk in confidence. They may suggest you visit your GP for more serious symptoms. It is possible to purchase many medicines from the chemist without a prescription. Watch <a href="https://youtu.be/JOzODvpjBbQ" target="_blank">this short video</a> on how you can get the most out of your local pharmacy</p> <h2>NHS Walk-In Centres</h2> <p>NHS Walk-In Centres offer convenient access to a range of NHS services for patients based in England only. You can receive treatment for many ailments including:<img style="width: 175px; float: right;" alt="Walk in Centres" src="/images/WalkInCentres.jpg" /></p> <ul> <li>infection and rashes,</li> <li>fractures and lacerations,</li> <li>emergency contraception and advice,</li> <li>stomach upsets,</li> <li>cuts and bruises, or</li> <li>burns and strains.</li> </ul> <p>NHS Walk In Centres treat around 3m patients a year and have proved to be a successful complementary service to traditional GP and A&E services. Some centres offer access to doctors as well as nurses. However, they are not designed for treating long-term conditions or immediately life-threatening problems.</p> <h2>Accident & Emergency (A&E)</h2> <p>Major A&E departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for emergencies, such as:</p> <ul> <li>loss of consciousness,</li> <li>pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia,</li> <li>acute confused state,</li> <li>persistent, severe chest pain, or</li> <li>breathing difficulties.</li> </ul> <p>If you're injured or seriously ill, you should go, or be taken, to A&E. If an ambulance is needed you can call 999, the emergency phone number in the UK. You can also dial 112, which is the equivalent for the European Union.</p> <p>Major A&E departments offer access 365 days a year and usually open 24 hours a day. Be aware that not all hospitals have an A&E department.</p> <p> </p>
<div id="TabContainer1_TabPanel3_field3"> <h3>Diarrhoea</h3> <p>Acute diarrhoea is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection and affects almost everyone from time to time. A common cause in both children and adults is gastroenteritis, an infection of the bowel.</p> <p>Bouts of diarrhoea in adults may also be brought on by anxiety or drinking too much coffee or alcohol. Diarrhoea may also be a side effect of a medication</p> <p align="center"><iframe width="425" height="350" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3GvHz2kXSAo"></iframe></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Diarrhoea/Pages/Introduction.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" linkindex="62">NHS</a> <br />Symptoms, causes, treatment and information</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Livingwithandaftercancer/Eatingwell/Eatingproblems/Diarrhoea.aspx" target="_blank">Macmillan Cancer Support</a> <br />Diarrhoea as a result of cancer treatments</p> <hr /><em>These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.</em></div>
<h3><img style="float: right; margin: 4px; border-width: 0px;" alt="ipod" src="/images/stethMP3.jpg" width="150" height="150" />First Aid - MP3 Downloads</h3> <p>To save them on your computer, right-click on any of the links below and then click 'Save Target As..." . Click on any of the links below to play the audio files: </p> <p><a title="Burns podcast" href="http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/Files/burns.mp3" rel="nofollow" linkindex="67"> <strong> <span color="#964646" style="color: #964646;">Burns </span> </strong> </a>- Explains the immediate treatment for burns and scalds.</p> <p><a title="Fits podcast" href="http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/fits.mp3" rel="nofollow" linkindex="68"> <strong> <span color="#964646" style="color: #964646;">Fits </span> </strong> </a>- How to deal with fits (convulsions/seizures) in adults and young children.</p> <p><a title="Wounds" href="http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/wounds.mp3" rel="nofollow" linkindex="69"> <strong> <span color="#964646" style="color: #964646;">Wounds </span> </strong> </a> - Immediate actions for wounds, bleeding, and bleeding associated with fractures.</p> <p><a title="Unconcious Podcast" href="http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/breathing_but_unconscious.mp3" rel="nofollow" linkindex="70"> <strong> <span color="#964646" style="color: #964646;">Unconscious patient who is breathing </span> </strong> </a>- How to deal with an unrousable patient who IS breathing (includes recovery position)</p> <p><a title="CPR for Adults" href="http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/cpr.mp3" rel="nofollow" linkindex="71"> <strong> <span color="#964646" style="color: #964646;">CPR for adults </span> </strong> </a>- Adults who have collapsed, unrousable and NOT breathing.</p> <p><a title="CPR for babies" href="http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/cpr_baby.mp3" rel="nofollow" linkindex="72"> <strong> <span color="#964646" style="color: #964646;">CPR for babies </span> </strong> </a>- Babies who are unrousable and NOT breathing.</p> <p><a title="Collapsed Patient" href="http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/collapsed.mp3" rel="nofollow" linkindex="73"> <strong> <span color="#964646" style="color: #964646;">Collapsed patient in detail </span> </strong> </a>- Explains the complete scenario including checks for breathing, circulation, etc.</p> <p><em>These files have been prepared by </em> <a href="http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" linkindex="74"> <em> <span color="#964646" style="color: #964646;">Sussex Ambulance Service </span> </em> </a> <em>and comply with European Resuscitation Council Guidelines.</em></p> <p></p> <hr /> <h3>Other Links</h3> <p align="left"><a href="http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" linkindex="77"> <span color="#964646" style="color: #964646;">British Red Cross - First Aid Tips</span> </a> <br />Simple, straightforward and easy to understand first aid tips</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" linkindex="79"> <span color="#964646" style="color: #964646;">St Johns Ambulance<br /></span> </a>St John Ambulance believes that everyone should learn at least the basic first aid techniques.</p> <hr /> <p><em>These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.</em></p>
<h3>Coughs & Colds</h3> <p>A cold is a mild viral infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways. It can cause nasal stuffiness, a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat and a cough. <strong>Usually it's a self-limiting infection – this means it gets better by itself without the need for treatment.</strong></p> <p align="center"><iframe width="425" height="350" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DyBlpmXEsp8"></iframe></p> <p>On average, adults have two to five colds each year and school-age children can have up to eight colds a year. Adults who come into contact with children tend to get more colds. This is because children usually carry more of the virus, for longer.</p> <p>In the UK, you’re more likely to get a cold during the winter months although the reasons why aren’t fully understood at present.</p> <h3>Treatment of a cold</h3> <p><img style="height: 253px; width: 169px; float: right; border-width: 0px;" alt="coughsandcolds" src="/images/coughsandcolds.jpg" />For most people, a cold will get better on its own within a week of the symptoms starting without any specific treatment. However, there are treatments that can help to ease your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable. These are available from your pharmacy, which means that you can treat yourself, rather than needing to see your GP.</p> <p>There is no cure for colds. Antibiotics, which treat infections caused by bacteria, don't work on cold viruses.</p> <h3>Self-help</h3> <p>There are a number of self-help measures that may help to ease the symptoms of a cold.</p> <ul> <li>Drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration.</li> <li>Steam inhalations with menthol, salt water nasal sprays or drops may be helpful.</li> <li>Vapour rubs may help relieve symptoms for children.</li> <li>Hot drinks (particularly with lemon), hot soups and spicy foods can help to ease irritation and pain in your throat.</li> <li>Sucking sweets or lozenges which contain menthol or eucalyptus may sooth your throat.</li> <li>Gargling with salt water may help a sore throat.</li> </ul> <p>You should try to make sure you get enough rest if you have a cold. It’s not usually necessary to stay off work or school.</p> <p><a href="http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/colds.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" linkindex="48"> <span color="#964646" style="color: #964646;">Colds & Flu </span> </a> <br />A factsheet on the causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention of colds & the flu</p> <p><a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/coldsandflu/Pages/Isitacoldorflu.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" linkindex="49">NHS - is it the common cold or the flu? </a> <br />Colds and flu can share some of the same symptoms (sneezing, coughing, sore throat) but are caused by different viruses, and flu can be much more serious. Find out</p> <p><a href="http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/c/colds" target="_blank">Factsheet - Common Cold<br /></a>Information about the diagnosis, treatment and symptoms of the common cold</p>
Did you know…?
We are participating in a new approach to improve access for patients to GP appointments. The aim is to direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional, which may be a GP or a pharmacist.
From 1st June 2021 if your symptoms could be resolved by a booked consultation with the pharmacist instead of the GP, you will be given a same-day referral to a pharmacy of your choice.
We think this is a good thing. Once you see how great your local pharmacist is – they are highly trained and skilled clinicians experienced in treating minor illnesses – we don’t think you’ll look back.
This will also help us to free up GP appointments for people with more complex health needs and ensure that everyone gets treated at the right time, by the right healthcare professional.
We are keen to hear what you think and will be listening to your comments and feedback about your experience of using this service.
Hay Fever
Hay fever is caused by an allergy to pollen. The symptoms of hay fever are caused when a person has an allergic reaction to pollen. Common hay fever symptoms are:
- a runny, itchy and/or blocked nose
- sneezing
- itchy eyes Pollen contains proteins that can cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become swollen, irritated and inflamed.Many hay fever symptoms can be controlled with over-the-counter medication at your local pharmacy.
How to treat hay fever
- Pollen is a fine powder released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle.
- Steroid nasal sprays help to prevent or reduce inflammation in the lining of the nose and some can help to relieve watery eyes. Available from your local pharmacy.
- Antihistamines help to relieve a runny nose, sneezing, itching and watery eyes. Some types of antihistamines make you drowsy and are best taken before bed. Newer antihistamines are less likely to make you drowsy and are a common choice for children and people with milder or occasional symptoms of hay fever. Available from your local pharmacy.
- Decongestant nasal sprays and tablets are used to unblock the nose. They should never be taken for more than a few days at a time. Available from your local pharmacy.
- Eye drops can be used to treat itchy or watery eyes. Available from your local pharmacy.
Where to go for help and advice
Most cases of hay fever can be treated using medication from a pharmacy or supermarket. By going to the pharmacy you’ll be saving yourself time, freeing up GP appointments for people with more urgent needs as well as doing your bit to help the NHS save money on unnecessary prescription costs. Your local pharmacist can offer you help and advice on which medication is right for you. If your symptoms are more troublesome it may be worth speaking to your GP practice as you may require prescription medication.