Get Help with a Minor Illness

There are many ways to get help with a minor illness, and it may be that you are looking for advice, but don't think you need to speak to a GP at this point. Here are some of the ways you can get help:

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Your local pharmacy

Pharmacists are highly qualified health professionals and can be a great port of call for health advice on a minor illness. One huge advantage with a pharmacist is that you don't need an appointment, you can just pop in and chat to them. Most pharmacists have a private room where they can speak to you confidentially, and they are very good at knowing when you really should be speaking to a doctor. Here are just a few of the areas where a pharmacist can help you, with advice and also medication that you can get over the counter:

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• Coughs, colds and sore throats

• Hay fever

• Dry eyes and sticky eyes, blepharitis (crusting of the eyelids)

• Minor skin complaints

• Thrush

• Indigestion and other stomach complaints

• Minor headaches

• Emergency contraception (the morning after pill)

• Smoking cessation advice

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Follow this link to find out more about Binscombe Pharmacy, and other local pharmacies

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Reliable online advice

There is a lot of advice available online, but how do you know if you can rely on it? The NHS has produced some great resources that can be relied upon including:

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• NHS 111 You can clearly call 111 for advice about symtoms, and when you are unwell and the practice is closed, but you don't need to call 999 then a 111 call is best. Did you know, though, that you can also access 111 online? This is available at https://111.nhs.uk/

• NHS Choices. This is now the NHS website at: https://www.nhs.uk/ and has a full list of A to Z health advice and A to Z medicines advice as well as information about reliable health apps and more

• The NHS App is a great way to access all of this through your phone, and can also give you access to online appointments, and your online record. Find this at the app store on your phone or by following this link: