Self-care

Important Notice - missed appointments

Every year, many GP appointments are missed without notice. This not only affects your own care but also impacts other patients and the NHS as a whole.

Each missed appointment costs the NHS around £30–£40. Locally, appointments are in high demand, and a missed appointment means valuable time that could have been used for another patient. This can lead to longer waiting times, particularly for those wishing to see a specific clinician.

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer the slot to someone else. Whilst the more notice we have the better, even a short notice cancellation can make a real difference.

Patients at Culcheth Medical Centre can cancel appointments by texting 07774745313, or by contacting the surgery directly on 01925 765101.

Thank you for helping us make the best use of our appointments for all patients.

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Self-care

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

Before you do, remember that you can treat many minor ailments such as colds, coughs and indigestion by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home.

We suggest you keep the following:

• Paracetamol and aspirin (children under 16 and people with asthma should not take aspirin)
• Mild laxatives
• Anti-diarrhoeal 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

Remember:

• Keep the medicine chest in a secure, locked place out of reach of small children
• Always read the instructions and use the suggested dose
• Watch expiry dates – don’t keep or use medicines past their sell-by date
• Take all unwanted and out-of-date medicines back to the pharmacy

Self-care medicines

Health professionals in Warrington will no longer prescribe additional medications for short term minor health problems, unless there is a specialist clinical need or for certain other exemptions. This follows on from a public consultation.

Full list of self-care medicines:

• Head lice treatments
• Treatments for infant colic
• Creams/ointments for nappy rash
• Threadworm treatments
• Treatment for vaginal thrush
• Haemorrhoids treatment
• Cough preparations
• Eye care products
• Probiotics
• Treatments for mild acne
• Dandruff and cradle cap treatments
• Baby milks (unless a clinical need for a specialist milk)
• Pain killers for minor aches and pains
• Tonics, vitamins and health supplements
• Ear wax removers
• Lozenges, throat sprays, mouthwashes, gargles and toothpastes
• Indigestion remedies for occasional use
• Creams for bruising, tattoos, and scars
• Hair removal creams
• Moisturisers and bath additives for dry skin
• Sun creams
• Foods and food supplements
• Pain relief cream/ointment for short-term use
• Oral antihistamines for hayfever
• Decongestant nasal sprays and tablets
• Teething gels and mouth ulcer treatments
• Vaginal moisturisers
• Warts and verrucae paints
• Heparinoid gel/cream
• Antiperspirants
• Antifungal treatments
• Treatments for bites and stings
• Treatments for cold sores
• Antibacterial eye drops
• Treatment for diarrhoea

Why?

We spend approximately £1 million per year on prescribing these medicines. This money could be and should be spent on other vital treatments for local people and make better use of our precious NHS resources.

For more information please ask at your GP practice reception or visit www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/your-health/helping-you-stay-well/self-care 

What is self care ...?

Self care is about looking after yourself in a healthy way. It can be anything from brushing your teeth, doing some exercise, managing common conditions (like headaches, colds and flu) or living with a long-term health problem, such as asthma or diabetes.

Self Care sheets, these are a useful resource to use when you or your family have a common ailment

• Useful facts
• What patients can expect to happen
• What people can do to help themselves – now and in the future
• When to seek medical help the ‘red flags’)
• Where to find out more

View information on specific conditions below:-

1. Low Back Pain
2. Eczema
3. Heartburn and indigestion
4. Fever in children
5. Constipation
6. Headache and migraine
7. Coughs
8. Acne
9. Sprains and strains
10. Sore throat
11. Middle ear infection in children
12. Common cold in adults
13. Sinusitis
14. Urine symptoms in men
15. Mental Health - Happy Ok Sad

Did you know...?

• The NHS belongs to all of us – help us to keep it working smoothly by turning up for appointments
• Every time you see a GP it costs the NHS £43, on average, for a 12-minute consultation
• A visit to Accident and Emergency costs £112

Ask our clinical pharmacist for advice

If you wish to speak to our Clinical Pharmacist about your medication please contact the surgery to arrange a telephone appointment.

Ask your pharmacist for advice

Your local pharmacist can give you friendly, expert advice on self care and where appropriate over-the-counter medicines that can help with lots of common illnesses and minor ailments.

Stock up your medicine cabinet

To support self care at home you can ensure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked with essential medicines. 

NHS Information

The NHS website contains a wealth of information about a variety of medical conditions and self care advice to help you manage an illness. Using the tools below you can find out more information about any topic on the NHS website www.nhs.uk

Important Information

Across Warrington, GPs and other Healthcare Professionals will no longer routinely prescribe medications for short term minor health problems.

NHS Warrington undertook a formal public consultation on these proposals which received overwhelming support. On average, 87% of people agreed that, unless there are exceptional circumstances, patients will be expected to buy the medicines listed below themselves over-the-counter at a local pharmacy or supermarket.

Medicines include:

• Pain killers for minor aches and pains
• Tonics, health supplements and vitamins
• Earwax removers
• Lozenges, throat sprays, mouthwashes, gargles and toothpastes
• Indigestion remedies for occasional use
• Creams for bruising, tattoos and scars
• Hair removal creams
• Moisturisers and bath additives for dry skin
• Sun cream (unless diagnosed photo sensitivity as a result of genetic disorders)
• Food and food supplements (except on the advice of a dietician)

Why?

NHS Warrington spends approximately £1 million per year on prescribing these medicines. This money could be better spent on treating more serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Many of these products are readily available, along with advice, from local pharmacies. Some are also available from local shops and supermarkets.

Antibiotics

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.