look after yourself · 2014-12-09 · look after yourself. we hope you can use this leaflet to look...
TRANSCRIPT
Accident and emergency (A&E) departments are for serious or life-threatening conditions which need immediate medical attention, such as:
• lossofconsciousness• stroke• persistent,severechestpain• severebreathingdifficulties• severebleedingwhichcannotbestopped
A&EshouldonlybeusedifotherNHSservicescannot help, or when your symptoms are serious oryouarebadlyinjured.
The staff at A&E will always see patients with themostseriousillnessesfirst,whichmeansthatanyone with a less urgent condition may need to waitforseveralhoursbeforetheyaretreated.
Pleaseremember,ifit’snot999,dial111.
A&E
Help understanding this leaflet
PublishedbyIpswichandEastSuffolk Clinical Commissioning Group
RushbrookHousePapermill LaneBramfordIpswichIP84DE
Telephone:01473770000Email: [email protected]
@IESCCG
/NHSIpswichandEastSuffolkCCG
www.ipswichandeastsuffolkccg.nhs.uk
If you would like this information in another language or another format, including audio tape, braille or large print, please call 01473 770 014.
Look afteryourselfLook afteryourself
Wehopeyoucanusethisleaflettolookafteryourselfandyourfamily.
Firstly,someofthebestthingstokeepillnessatbayare to wash your hands while preparing food or afterusingthetoilet,takeregularexerciseandenjoyabalanceddiet.
Ifyouhaveaminorillnessorinjury,lookafteryourselfathomeandgetplentyofrest.Over-the-counter medicines can ease the symptoms of colds, coughsandfevers,whileafirstaidkitwillhelpyoutreatcutsandscalds.
Youneverknowwhenyoumayfallill,sotrytomakesureyourmedicinecabinetcontains:
• paracetamol(andsyrupifyouhavechildren)• ibuprofengel• medicinestotreatdiarrhoeaandindigestion• rehydrationsalts• creamorspraytotreatinsectbitesandstings• athermometer• antihistaminemedicineforallergies• asterilebandage,someplastersandmedicaltape• eyewash
Ifyoutakeregularmedication,remembertoorderany repeat prescriptions in good time so that you don’trunout.
Yourlocalpharmacistisanexpertonmedicines,andcangiveyoulotsofadviceonthebestwaytotreatproblemssuchascolds,coughs,minorburns,diarrhoea,sprains,bumpsandbruises.Theyarealsoabletodispenseprescriptionsandcananswerquestionsaboutmedication.
Youcantalktoyourpharmacistinconfidenceaboutyoursymptomswithouthavingtobookanappointment.Theycanalsogiveadviceonwhetheryouneedtoseeyourdoctor.
ManypharmaciesacrossSuffolkalsoofferotherservicestohelpyoustaywell,suchasbloodpressurechecksoradviceonmaintainingahealthyweightorstoppingsmoking.Somecanarrangetocollectyourrepeat prescription from your GP, which means you won’thavetotraveltoyoursurgeryasoften.
Youcancheckwhichservicesareavailableatyourlocalpharmacybyvisitingwww.nhs.uk/Service-Search
YourGPcangiveyouadviceonmostphysicalandmentalhealthproblems.Theteamatyoursurgerycanorganiseprescriptionsorbookimmunisations.Somesurgeriescarryoutminorsurgeryorcanhelpifyouhaveaminorinjury,whilemanyprovidestopsmokingandotherwellbeingservices.Thereceptionistsatyoursurgerywillbeabletogiveyouinformationaboutthefullrangeofservicesitoffers.
Caring for yourself Going to see your GP
Yourmentalwellbeingisimportant,andyoucandoalottotrytomaintainapositiveoutlook,suchasavoidingexcessalcoholandstayingactive.Ifyouarefeelinganxious,upsetorstressedyoucancontacttheSuffolkWellbeingServicewhichistheretohelpyoumanageandmakechangesforthebetter.Theserviceprovidesshort-termsupportsuchasworkshops,counsellingandothertalkingtherapiesfordepression,anxietyandtrauma.Formoreinformation,call03001231781orvisitwww.readytochange.org.uk.Ifyouareunsureaboutwhathelpyouneedandyouarenotincrisis,callNorfolkandSuffolkFoundationTrustPatientAdviceandLiaisonServiceon08002797257. Need help urgently?
IfyouarecurrentlyreceivingcareortreatmentfromNorfolkandSuffolkFoundationTrust,usethenumberyouhavebeengiven.Ifyoucan’tfindit,call03001231334. • Samaritansofferemotionalsupportwhenyouneedtotalktosomeone.Call08457909090.
• ChildLinehelpschildrenoradultsworriedaboutchildren.Call08001111.
• FRANKgivesinformationaboutdrugs.Call03001236600or,ifyouhaveahearingimpairment,03001231099.
Looking after your mental health
Getting advice from your local pharmacy
YoushoulduseNHS111ifyouurgentlyneedmedicalhelporadvicebutit’snotalife-threateningsituation.Youshouldcall111ifyou:
• arenotsureifyouneedtogotoA&EorneedanotherNHSurgentcareservice
• don’tknowwhotocallordon’thaveaGPtocall• needhealthinformationorreassuranceaboutwhattodonext
NHS111isavailable24hoursaday,sevendaysaweek.Callsareansweredbyspeciallytrainedadvisorswhoaresupportedbyexperiencedhealthcareprofessionals.Theywillaskquestionsaboutyoursymptomsbeforegivingyouadviceordirectingyoutothelocalservicebestsuitedtomeetyourneeds.
When to call 111