Do you need that Ambulance? Or to go to A&E? Do you even need that GP Appointment?

There are several types of appointments you can make at this practice. Receptionists are happy to help you decide which is the most appropriate appointment for you.

COULD THE CHEMIST HELP?

Lots of common ailments can be managed without any need to see a health professional. See the self-treatment advice on page 8. Some chemists operate the ‘care at the chemist’ scheme where you can obtain advice and prescriptions regarding common ailments including:

• Coughs, colds, fever and sore throat
• allergy, hay fever,
• conjunctivitis, cold sores, mouth ulcers
• indigestion, constipation , diarrhoea, cystitis
• haemorrhoids, pain, headache,
• head lice, threadworms
• thrush, contact dermatitis, athlete’s foot, warts and verrucae 

If you normally get free prescriptions these prescriptions will also be free.

QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICATION?

Please ask reception to pass your query to the practice pharmacist, who will review it and make sure you get an answer.

DO I NEED A ‘MEDICATION REVIEW’?

If you have any medication ‘on repeat’ the practice will set a ‘medication review date’ which can be seen on the right hand side of your prescription. This is to ensure that the medicines are working and to detect any potential problems.

When your review is due the practice pharmacist will work out what needs to happen—you may need to see the practice nurse, or have a blood test or a telephone consultation. If you have been seen recently the pharmacist may be able to do the medication review by looking at your medical records.

COULD I SEE AN ADVANCED PRACTITIONER?

Advanced practitioners are experienced health care professionals (nurse practitioners or pharmacists) who have had rigorous training at university to at least a masters level and are able to deal with the vast majority of problems GPs see.

They can diagnose, request investigations, prescribe and refer to specialists if necessary. If they need advice, they will speak to a GP in the practice or arrange a GP appointment for you.

SELF CARE

You can find out more about many conditions at NHS Choices. 
Another good site - which has a symptom checker and many of the same leaflets you may get from us is patient.info.

The Self Care Forum also has a range of leaflets covering common conditions:

Low Back Pain
Eczema
Heartburn and indigestion
Fever in children
Constipation
Headache and migraine
Coughs
Acne
Sprains and strains
Sore throat
Otitis media (ear infections) 
Common cold
Sinusitis
Urine symptoms in men 

Call 111 when it's less urgent than 999

Staying Active - Ten reasons to get active

• You’ll reduce Stress
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• You’ll control your weight
• You’ll Feel Better
• You’ll look better
• You’ll increase efficiency & concentration
• You’ll be healthier
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