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.
As a Self Care Aware practice we are here to help you feel able to look after your own health when it is right for you. So, when you come in for a consultation, the Doctors, Advanced Care Practitioners, Nurses and Healthcare Assistants in this practice will talk to you about what you can do to help maintain and improve your health.
Self Care
Did you know that many of the common minor ailments seen by clinicians at the surgery can also be treated by you at home?
By treating yourself at home you could save a trip to the surgery and free up appointment time for patients with more serious health problems.
Read about some of the most effective home treatments on the NHS website for:
1. Back pain
2. Dermatitis
3. Heartburn and indigestion
4. Nasal congestion (blocked nose)
5. Constipation
6. Migraines
7. Coughs
8. Colds
9. Acne
10. Sprains and strains
11. Headaches
12. Norovirus
13. Hayfever
14. Burns and scolds Antibiotics
Visit the NHS websites:
(it would be helpful to add a link here for the A-Z NHS conditions)
A-Z Conditions (external link)
Antibiotics
Every year 25% of the population visit their surgery for a respiratory tract infection (eg sinus, throat or chest infection).
These are often caused by a virus.
For patients who are otherwise healthy, antibiotics are not necessarily required for these infections.
Viral infections will usually resolve by looking after yourself at home with rest, plenty of fluids, paracetamol and you can also visit the pharmacist for advice on over-the-counter medication that might ease your symptoms.
Ear infections last on average 4-7 days
89% of cases clear up on their own
A sore throat lasts on average 7 days
40% of cases clear up after 3 days and 90% after 7 days without antibiotics
Sinusitis lasts on average 17 days
80% clear up in 14 days without antibiotics
Cough/bronchitis last on average 21 days
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.
Patients with long-term conditions such as asthma, diabetes and COPD are eligible for flu and pneumococcal vaccinations to help reduce the risk of infections. Ask at reception for more information.
Medicine Cabinet
You can treat lots minor illness such as colds, coughs and indigestion by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home.
We suggest you keep the following:
-Paracetamol
-Laxatives
-Anti-diarrhoeal medicines
-Rehydration mixture
-Indigestion remedy (for example, antacids)
-Travel sickness tablets
-Sunscreen
-Sunburn treatment (for example, calamine)
-A thermometer
-A selection of plasters, elastic bandages and dressings
Remember:
-Keep the medicine chest in a secure, locked place out of reach of small children
-Ensure you have read the instructions and follow the suggested dose on the packet
-Check expiry dates – don’t use medication past its sell-by date
-Return all unwanted and out-of-date medication to the pharmacy
Pharmacy
You can attend your local pharmacist for guidance on lots of health issues, over the counter medication and receive advise on when to visit the surgery. There is no need for an appointment, you can either drop into the pharmacy to arrange a consultation or be referred by our staff at reception.
Community pharmacies offer a more convenient way to access healthcare that includes support with healthy eating, exercise, stopping smoking, monitoring your blood pressure, contraception, flu and covid vaccinations.
Accessing Pharmacy First services
The following table shows the 7 conditions pharmacists can manage across various age ranges.
| Clinical pathway | Age range |
| Acute otitis media* | 1 to 17 years |
| Impetigo | 1 year and over |
| Infected insect bites | 1 year and over |
| Shingles | 18 years and over |
| Sinusitis | 12 years and over |
| Sore throat | 5 years and over |
| Uncomplicated urinary tract infections | Women 16-64 years |
Referring minor illness patients to a local pharmacy
Self- Referral Services
You can access and refer yourself directly to these services – with no need to wait for a GP appointment first!
Petersfield Urgent Treatment Centre
Located at the Petersfield Hospital, any NHS patient can use this “walk in” service where the team of team highly skilled UTC practitioners and GPs offer treatment, advice and information for a range of minor injuries and illnesses. Follow the link below for more information on current waiting times and to check opening hours before you travel. No appointment is neccesary, any NHS patient can just turn up on the day and will be seen in order of clinical need.
Urgent Treatment Centres :: Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
Community Care Teams
If you need nursing care and are medically housebound, you can arrange a district nurse to visit by calling the Integrated single point of access (community care team) directly on 0300 1210173 – they can also arrange physiotherapy and occupational therapy assesments for housebound patients, if required.
Southern Health Continence Service
The Continence Service comprises a team of nurses and advisors who can offer support, assessments, treatment and advice to individuals over 18 years of age who have bladder and or bowel problems.
You can self refer yourself to the team for help and support by calling 02382 311690 or visit their website and complete a self referral form.
Continence :: Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
Continence_Referral_Form_Sept_22_-.docx (live.com)
Urgent Eye Services
The Minor Eye Conditions Service provides assessment and treatment for people with recently occurring minor eye problems. It is an NHS service provided by accredited optometrists (also commonly called opticians).
Patients can self refer into this service by calling 0300 303 4922 from 9am – 5pm on Monday – Saturday.
Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) covers minor eye problems (primaryeyecare.co.uk)
Audiology Services and Hearing Aids
If you are over 18 and have tinnitus or difficulty hearing, you can contact the Winchester Hospital audiology department to arrange an assessment by calling 01962 824437 or email; audiology@hhft.nhs.uk
If you are over 55 years of age and need a hearing test or think you might benefit from free NHS hearing aids, you can self refer to one of the local services (Specsavers, Scrivens, In Health) that offer this service. Contact your local branch and check to see if they participate – no GP referral is necessary.
Mental Health Services
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are an NHS service that aims to help young people up to the age of 18 who are finding it hard to manage their emotional and psychological health, and who are suffering with acute, chronic and severe mental health problems. The website contains useful information, advice and resources for support and also allows young people or their families to directly make referrals to the service themselves – with no need wait for a GP appointment first.
Winchester Youth Counselling Service offers confidential counselling by trained counsellors, the service is free for people aged 11-19 years.
Home » Winchester Youth Counselling
Kooth – an NHS commisioned service that provides free, on-line, anonymous support that includes BACP accredited counselling, professional advice, self help tools, information and peer to peer support for young people (up to the age of 25 years).
ITALK is an NHS commisioned service offering adults free evidence-based treatments for depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD and phobias – you don’t need a diagnosis to self-refer. The service allows access to online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), wellbeing classes (currently as videos during the COVID crisis) and one to one cognitive behavioural therapy.
NHS Talking Therapies Hampshire, your local psychological therapy service (italk.org.uk)
See the NHS site Every Mind Matters for tips and advice on maintaining and managing your mental health.
Every Mind Matters – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
The South West Hampshire Safe Haven provides “in the moment” informal mental health support in the evenings (between 5pm and 11pm). The team is made up of people who have lived experience of their own mental health challenges and can be accessed by dropping in at the South West Safe Haven, 111 Leigh Road, Eastleigh, you can also text/call/videocall 07974 124873.
“Shout” offers free and confidential support round the clock to anyone in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who needs to talk. Text ‘HANTS’ to 85258 to be connected to a trained volunteer who can help with anything you’re struggling with, including anxiety, stress, loneliness or depression.
Physiotherapy
The First Contact Physiotherapy model (FCP) is an alternative to GP appointments for musculoskeletal problems (MSK). It means that, instead of seeing a GP about a new muscle, joint or back problem, you will be given an appointment with a senior Physiotherapist. So your first contact will be with the physiotherapist, not the doctor.
The aim of your appointment with the Physiotherapist is to give you early advice on how to manage your recent musculoskeletal problem and they will also ensure that you are referred for Physiotherapy treatment in the outpatient department if this is required. They can also refer you to see a doctor in your practice or Secondary Care (hospital specialist) if needed. In most cases people just need the one appointment.
Sexual Health, Contraception and Unplanned Pregnancy Services
Visit Lets Talk About It for information on how to confidentially access testing and treatment of the full range of sexually transmitted diseases including chlamydia, HIV, herpes, gonorrhoea and genital warts as well as access to additional contraception services.
Vasectomy Service
Men can now self refer for vasectomy – please follow this link for further information on the procedure and to access the self referral portal.
Vasectomy (midhampshirehealthcare.co.uk)
If you discover that you have a pregnancy that you feel you are unable to continue with, you can contact the British Pregnancy Advisery service (BPAS) who will support you to make a decision that is right for you.
About BPAS | BPAS
Drugs and alcohol services
Inclusion recovery Hampshire offers a free and confidential service to give support and advice both to people that want help controlling their own drug or alcohol use and to people who are affected by someone else’s use.
Home – Inclusion Hants
Stop Smoking Services
Smokefree Hampshire offers a range of options to help you to stop smoking, they can also organise prescription medicines (nicotine patches etc) that increase the chance of you successfully giving up smoking for good.
Smokefree Hampshire | Your Stop Smoking Service
Diabetes
You will find information about diabetes, and how to look after your self in the “learning zone” on the Diabetes UK website. You can also call diabetes UK for advice and support 0345 123 2399.
Learning Zone – Discover more about your diabetes. | Learning Zone
Patient transport
Eligible patients can book their own hospital transport by calling 0300 123 9833 and can also manage existing bookings on-line.
SCAS Patient Hub Login
Self Help – Advice and tools
For 24 hours General Medical Advice telephone 111 or visit the NHS111 website
Kickstart your health with Better Health. Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, get active or quit smoking, visit Better Health for lots of free tools and support.
Better Health – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Healthier together provides advice for parents, young people and pregnant women, it’s an excellent resource and good first stop if you are looking for sensible advice about common health concerns in children.
Home :: Healthier Together (what0-18.nhs.uk)
See Hampshire healthy families – a web portal “for all things health and families”, with links to advice lines, as well as a number of different local services to support parents and children.
Portal : Hampshire Healthy Families