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Get the Right Treatment

Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that can be easily resolved without a doctor's appointment.

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.

Self-care

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.

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.

Your Local Pharmacist

local pharmacy 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.

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 this short video on how you can get the most out of your local pharmacy

NHS Walk-In Centres

NHS Walk-In Centres offer convenient access to a range of NHS services. You can receive treatment for many ailments including: Walk in Centres

infection and rashes,

fractures and lacerations,

emergency contraception and advice,

stomach upsets,

cuts and bruises, or

burns and strains.

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.

Accident & Emergency (A&E)

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:

loss of consciousness,

pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia,

acute confused state,

persistent, severe chest pain, or

breathing difficulties.

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.

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.

Diarrhoea

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.

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

NHS Choices
Symptoms, causes, treatment and information

BBC Health
Causes, prevention and treatment from BBC Health

Macmillan Cancer Support
Diarrhoea as a result of cancer treatments

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.

First Aid - MP3 Downloads

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:

Burns - Explains the immediate treatment for burns and scalds.

Fits - How to deal with fits (convulsions/seizures) in adults and young children.

Wounds - Immediate actions for wounds, bleeding, and bleeding associated with fractures.

Unconscious patient who is breathing - How to deal with an unrousable patient who IS breathing (includes recovery position)

CPR for adults - Adults who have collapsed, unrousable and NOT breathing.

CPR for babies - Babies who are unrousable and NOT breathing.

Collapsed patient in detail - Explains the complete scenario including checks for breathing, circulation, etc.

These files have been prepared by Sussex Ambulance Service and comply with European Resuscitation Council Guidelines.

Coughs & Colds

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. Usually it's a self-limiting infection – this means it gets better by itself without the need for treatment.

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.

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.

Treatment of a cold

coughsandcolds 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.

There is no cure for colds. Antibiotics, which treat infections caused by bacteria, don't work on cold viruses.

Self-help

There are a number of self-help measures that may help to ease the symptoms of a cold.

Drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration.

Steam inhalations with menthol, salt water nasal sprays or drops may be helpful.

Vapour rubs may help relieve symptoms for children.

Hot drinks (particularly with lemon), hot soups and spicy foods can help to ease irritation and pain in your throat.

Sucking sweets or lozenges which contain menthol or eucalyptus may sooth your throat.

Gargling with salt water may help a sore throat.

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.

Colds & Flu
A factsheet on the causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention of colds & the flu

NHS Choices - is it the common cold or the flu?
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

Factsheet - Common Cold
Information about the diagnosis, treatment and symptoms of the common cold

Noticeboard

It's not a 999 emergency. But you need medical help fast? There is now a 111 number to call.

What is 111?

It is a new NHS telephone number being introduced to help make it easier for you to access local health services. You can now call 111 when you need medical help fast, but it is not a 999 emergency.

You will be assessed, given advice and directed straightaway to the local service that can help you best. That could be A&E, an Urgent Care Centre or Minor Injuries Unit, an out of hours GP, community nurse, emergency dentist or a late opening pharmacist.

You can ring the 111 number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Calls from landlines and mobile phones are free.

There is a typetalk service (18001 111) for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Why should I use it?

NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help - wherever you are, and whatever the time.

It can also help us free up 999 and local A&E departments so that they can focus on emergency cases.

How does it work?

111 will get you through to a team of highly trained advisers, who are supported by experienced nurses. They will ask you questions to assess your symptoms, and give you the health care advice you need or direct you to the right local service. The NHS 111 team will, where possible, book you an appointment or transfer you directly to the people you need to speak to.

If NHS 111 advisers think you need an ambulance, they will immediately arrange for one to be sent to you.

Calls to 111 are recorded. All calls and the records we create are maintained securely, and will only be shared with others directly involved in your care.

When do I use it?

You should use the NHS 111 service if:

You need medical help fast, but it is not a 999 emergency.
You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service.
You don't know who to call for medical help or you don't have a GP to call; or
You require health information or reassurance about what to do next.

For less urgent health needs, you should still contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way.

If a health professional has given you a specific number to call when you are concerned about your condition, please continue to use that number.

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.

For more information please visit www.nhs.uk/111