Get the Right Treatment
Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that can be easily resolved without a doctor's appointment.
It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete's foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.
Self-care
Keeping a well stocked medicine cabinet at home can help you treat many minor ailments. Colds, coughs, indigestion and many other minor complaints can all be treated with medicines that are available over the counter.
Your pharmacist can advise on what you might find useful to keep in your medicine cabinet. Always follow the instructions on the medicine label and consult your doctor if the illness continues or becomes more severe.
Your Local Pharmacist
Pharmacists offer professional free health advice at any time - you don't need an appointment. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses. They can answer questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines.
Pharmacists can also advise on health eating, obesity and giving up smoking. Some pharmacists have private areas where you can talk in confidence. They may suggest you visit your GP for more serious symptoms. It is possible to purchase many medicines from the chemist without a prescription.
Your local pharmacy also provides "The Minor Ailment Service" which is an NHS service for children,
people aged 60 or over, people who hold a medical exemption certificate and people on certain benefits.
When you are registered for the Minor Ailment Service your pharmacist can give you medicine for a minor illness or complaint, if they think you need it. You will not have to pay for this.
Please contact your local pharmacy for advice and to register.
You will be able to get advice and free treatment (if you need it) from your pharmacist for minor illnesses and complaints, such as:
acne, headache, athlete’s foot, head lice, backache, indigestion, cold sores mouth ulcers, constipation, nasal congestion,cough pain, diarrhoea, period pain, earache, thrush,eczema and allergies, sore throat, haemorrhoids(piles), threadworms,hay fever, warts and verrucae.
Your pharmacist, like your doctor, can only give out certain medicines and products. You may not get the medicine or product you would normally buy.
If your pharmacist feels it is better for you to see your GP, they may refer you directly or ask you to make an appointment with your GP.
Watch this short video on how you can get the most out of your local pharmacy
NHS Minor Ailments Unit
If you live in the catchment area for the New Stobhill Hospital or New Victoria Hospital , you can attend your local Minor Injury Unit (MIU) to get urgent care for a minor injury.The opening hours for each of the MIUs are 9am – 9pm Monday to Sunday all year round.
The Minor Injuries Unit will treat adults and children aged five and over for a range of minor injuries. An injury is damage caused to the body by something physical (for example following a fall).
The Minor Injuries Unit will:
- Arrange X-rays for suspected broken bones. For example, shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand (including fingers), knee, lower leg, ankle, foot and toes.
- Treat and apply plaster to broken bones.
- Treat back, shoulder and rib injuries.
- Treat minor head and neck injuries.
- Treat cuts/grazes as well as close (stitch) and dress wounds.
- Treat sprains of ankles, knees, wrists and elbows.
- Treat infected wounds.
- Treat eye and ear injuries
- Treat minor burns and scalds.
- Assess a minor injury and refer to a specialist if required.
Who should not attend the MIU?
Patients with serious injuries will be taken to the local A&E department. Minor Injuries Units will also not deal with illnesses. An illness can be described as when you feel unwell or in poor health.
Accident & Emergency (A&E)
Major A&E departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for emergencies, such as:
- loss of consciousness,
- pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia,
- acute confused state,
- persistent, severe chest pain, or
- breathing difficulties.
If you're injured or seriously ill, you should go, or be taken, to A&E. If an ambulance is needed you can call 999, the emergency phone number in the UK. You can also dial 112, which is the equivalent for the European Union.
Major A&E departments offer access 365 days a year and usually open 24 hours a day. Be aware that not all hospitals have an A&E department.