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.
Find digital tools to help you manage and improve your health, just click on the link below
Your Local Pharmacist
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.
Non-urgent advice: 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.
Suffering aches and pains? visit the Musculoskeletal Services Website click on link below.
Sunderland IMS (sunderlandims.co.uk)
Self Help Information and Leaflets
| Back pain NHS Choices | Cold sores NHS Choices |
| Common Cold NHS Choices | Conjunctivitis NHS Choices |
| Constipation NHS Choices | Cough NHS Choices |
| Diarrhoea NHS Choices | Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods) NHS Choices |
| Earache NHS Choices | Haemorrhoids NHS Choices |
| Hayfever NHS Choices | Head lice NHS Choices |
| Headache NHS Choices | Heartburn & Indigestion NHS Choices |
| Influenza NHS Choices | Insect bites NHS Choices |
| Migraine NHS Choices | Nasal congestion NHS Choices |
| Nappy rash NHS Choices | Sore throat NHS Choices |
| Sinusitis NHS Choices | Sprains and strains NHS Choices |
| Thrush NHS Choices | Warts and Verrucas NHS Choices |