What is Self Care
Self Care is about treating minor illnesses at home and seeking help when you need it. It is also about managing any conditions you have in a way that puts you in control, improves your quality of life and avoids you getting ill.
Why is self care good for people?
Empowering people with the confidence and information to look after themselves when they can, and consult the GP when they need to, gives people greater control of their own health and encourages healthy behaviours that help prevent ill health in the long-term. In many cases people can take care of their minor ailments, reducing the number of GP consultations.
There are various ways that you can support yourself to stay well, these include:
Stock up Your Medicine Cabinet
To support Self Care at home you should keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet with essential medicines such as:
- painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen
- antihistamines
- anti-diarrhoeal medicine
- oral rehydration salts
- indigestion treatment
- first aid kit including plasters, bandages and a thermometer
View the full recommended list here
Support
The NHS website is full of information, tips and tools that can help put you in charge of your own health and wellbeing.
There you will be able to find:
NHS 111
If you’re worried about an urgent medical concern, you can call NHS 111 to speak to a fully trained adviser who will direct you to the right service for your needs.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Find out more about NHS 111 here.
What are the Factsheets for?
The Self Care Forum Factsheets for common ailments aim to help clinicians and patients discuss issues around self care within the practice consultation and especially how to handle the symptoms in the future.
They provide patients with information around:
- Useful facts
- What patients can expect to happen (the natural history)
- What people can do to help themselves – now and in the future
- When to seek medical help (the ‘red flags’)
- Where to find out more