Introduction
Did you know that some of the most common minor ailments seen by GPs can be managed at home? Treating your minor ailment at home could be more convenient and will help to ensure appointments are available for our team to help patients with more urgent health concerns.
- It’s important to have a well-stocked first aid kit in your home so you can deal with minor accidents and injuries. Your first aid kit should be locked and kept in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children. What you should have in your basic first aid kit.
- Read about some of the most effective home treatments for a range of health concerns, and when to get medical advice by visiting the NHS website.
Advice for parents and carers of a child
The Healthier Together website contains lots of advice and information for parents and carers who might be concerned about their child’s symptoms, including tips for managing symptoms at home through self care, along with information about when you should seek medical advice.
Self care factsheets
The following factsheets from the charity Self Care Forum cover a range of health concerns and symptoms, including useful facts, self care advice to aid recovery and when you should seek medical advice. Access all fact sheets in one place, or visit the individual fact sheets by topic, below:
- Acne – Acne (spots) factsheet
- Backpain – Lower back pain factsheet
- Common cold in adults – Common cold in adults factsheet
- Conjunctivitis – Conjunctivitis (pink/red eye) factsheet
- Constipation – Constipation in adults factsheet
- Cough – Cough in adults factsheet
- Eczema – Eczema factsheet
- Fever in children – Fever in children factsheet
- Headache and migraine – Headache and migraine factsheet
- Heartburn and indigestion – Heartburn and indigestion (Dyspepsia) factsheet
- Long Covid and post Covid syndrome – Long Covid and post Covid syndrome in adults factsheet
- Menopause – Menopause factsheet
- Middle ear infection – Middle ear infection in children factsheet
- Power of self care – wellbeing – The power of self care factsheet
- Self care – boosting your mood – Boosting your mood factsheet
- Sinusitis – Acute sinusitis in adults factsheet
- Sore throat – Sore throat factsheet
- Sprains and strains – Sprains and strains factsheet
- Urinary incontinence (leakage) in adults – Urinary incontinence (leakage) in adults factsheet
- Urine symptoms in men – Urine symptoms in men factsheet
- Venous disease – looking after your legs – Venous disease – looking after your legs factsheet
Other NHS services
As well as our Practice, there are many other NHS services you can contact for health advice, information or treatment.
- Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with many minor health concerns and give treatment advice about a range of common conditions and minor injuries. Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends and you do not need an appointment. Visit the NHS website for details about how your local pharmacy can help.
- The NHS website is your complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.
- NHS 111 online or on the phone (dial 111) can help if you think you need medical help right now and you’re not sure what to do.
- The Minor Eye Conditions Service provides assessment and treatment for people with recently occurring minor eye problems.
- The Greater Manchester dental helpline 0333 332 3800 is available 8am to 10pm every day, for patients who need help urgently when their Practice is closed, or if they do not have a regular dentist.
- Bury’s Getting Help Line 0161 464 3679 is available Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm, providing confidential advice, guidance and signposting for people experiencing difficulties with their emotional wellbeing.
About antibiotics
Each year 25% of the population visit their GP for a respiratory tract infection (e.g. 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. Taking unnecessary antibiotics for viral infections should be avoided because they may not be effective next time you have a bacterial infection.
- Ear infections typically last 4 days and 89% of cases clear up on their own.
- A sore throat typically lasts 7 days and 40% of cases clear up after 3 days and 90% after 7 days without antibiotics.
- Sinusitis typically lasts 17 days and 80% clear up in 14 days without antibiotics.
- Cough/bronchitis typically lasts 21 days, antibiotics reduce symptoms by only 1 day and only work for infections caused by bacteria.
