Many minor ailments are not of a serious nature, don’t require a trip to the GP practice and will resolve themselves within a short time.
If treatment is needed for a minor ailment, over the counter remedies can usually help from a local pharmacy, freeing up GP Practice time to deal with more complex cases.
These are just some of the messages from NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG’s) new campaign, Be Self Care Aware.
Bury GP Practices will no longer routinely prescribe items for minor ailments such as diarrhoea, cold sores and dry skin, and through Be Self Care Aware, patients are encouraged to treat minor illnesses and injuries such as upset tummies, minor cuts and burns and coughs and colds at home, with over the counter items if appropriate.
The aim is to free up GP Practice time to deal with more complex cases. In addition, NHS monies will only be spent on medicines that are safe, clinically effective and provide a clear health benefit, to free up resources to be spent elsewhere to improve health in Bury.
Through Be Self Care Aware, the CCG is also providing lots of useful information such as helping you to make the best choice from the range of local services, together with advice about medicine cabinet essentials to have at home.
How you can help
Please pick up a leaflet from your GP practice, pharmacy or you can view the same information online here. Please follow us on Twitter and retweet our self care messages and advice using the hashtag #SelfCareAware, tell us about your top tips for self care, and generally encourage your followers to get on board.
Here are some of our self care top tips
- Hand washing prevents the spread of germs
- Take regular exercise
- Enjoy a balanced diet
- Avoid excess alcohol
When should I choose self care?
Self care is the best choice to treat minor illnesses and injuries such as:
- Coughs
- Colds
- Sore throats
- Upset stomachs
- Aches and pains
- Minor cuts and burns
What should I keep in my medicine cabinet?
Medicine cabinet and first aid kit essentials include:
- Painkillers (syrup for children)
- Ibuprofen gel
- Indigestion remedies
- Cream or spray to treat insect bites/stings
- A thermometer
- Antihistamine medicine for allergies
- Plasters and dressings
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