Self–care skills are those we use in everyday life, also referred to as Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in most cases we rely on common sense and prior learning to carry this out, however when we are feeling unwell or come into a situation we have never faced before it is not always clear what to do. We believe patients who are better informed and more educated possess greater motivation for self care.
General Health/Ailments:
- Patient.co.uk has information on various conditions/problems: http://patient.info/
- NHS choices has information on various symptoms/conditions: http://www.nhs.uk/pages/home.aspx
- 111 for advice and guidance 24/7
- Think Pharmacy First: http://northtynesideccg.nhs.uk/your-health/health-campaigns/health-campaign-2/
- Exercise leaflets: www.arthritisresearchuk.org
- NHS choices also has 10 minute exercise routines to do at home and ‘couch to 5k’: http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/fitness/Pages/Fitnesshome.aspx
- Sport/Exercise/Healthy living via active North Tyneside http://www.activenorthtyneside.org.uk
- Help finding Health Services in your area: www.aliss.org
- Info on local health services via North Tyneside CCG website http://northtynesideccg.nhs.uk/your-health/
- Change4life England campaign: http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/why-change-for-life.aspx (for healthy lifestyle advice – diet and exercise/meal planning etc)
- Multitude of services including advice and activities: www.socialprescribing.org.uk
- Self help for those with diabetes : www.diabetes.org.uk and for
- Diabetes and Sport: www.runsweet.com (predominantly help for those on insulin and managing insulin dosing for exercise)
Children:
- Crying baby/Colic – Cry-sis helpline 08451228669, website www.cry-sis.org.uk
- Childrens Continence issues: www.eric.org.uk
- Advice and support for parents – Family lives: http://www.familylives.org.uk/
- Advice and support for parents of disabled children: http://www.cafamily.org.uk/
Mental Health:
- Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Self Help Booklets: http://www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/selfhelp/
- Mind website: www.mind.org.uk
- Moodjuice: www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk
- Samaritans: www.samaritans.org, tel: 116 123
Finances/housing/language/immigration/other:
- Citizens advice Bureau: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- Language and housing for asylum seekers, also for non-english speakers: www.actionfoundation.org.uk
- Age UK north Tyneside: www.ageuk.org.uk/northtyneside
- Percey Hedley Foundation provides help and advice for disabled people: www.percyhedley.org.uk
- Local information from North Tyneside Council: http://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/
Palliative care
Macmillan Cancer Support: http://www.macmillan.org.uk
Marie Curie: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk
Sexual and Reproductive Health:
Marie Stopes UK: https://www.mariestopes.org.uk
MESMAC North East: http://www.mesmacnortheast.com/safer-sex-stis-hiv/gum-clinics/
Northumbria Healthcare: https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-services/healthy-living/sexual-health-services
The below symptoms and self refer sign post guide should only be used as a guideline if you are still not feeling well please get in touch. Some services’ are specific to your circumstances may not have a direct link such as School Nurse who will be specific to your Child. Attached to the surgery are a health visitor, nursery nurse, mid-wife and a physiotherapist as well as a counselling service these may not be reflected in the links below as you may already be dealing with an external service.
| Symptom | Refer to |
| Abdominal pain | GP |
| Abdominal pain, severe | GP, A&E |
| Abuse concerns, about a child or adult | GP, Social Services |
| Accidents | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Acid reflux | Pharmacy, GP |
| Acne | Pharmacy, GP |
| Addiction | Self-refer Addiction services |
| Adjustment disorders (stress related mental disorders) | Self-refer Counselling, GP |
| Advice | NHS 111 |
| Agoraphobia | Self-refer Counselling |
| Aids to help living at home | Social Services |
| Alcohol problems | Self-refer Addiction services |
| Allergic reactions, localised | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Allergies | Pharmacy, GP |
| Anaphylactic Shock | 999 |
| Anger management | Self-refer Counselling |
| Animal bites | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Anxiety (excessive worry), mild to moderate | Self-refer Counselling |
| Arthritis | Physiotherapist , GP |
| Asthma | Practice Nurse |
| Athlete’s foot | Pharmacy |
| Baby and child growth and development | Health Visitor |
| Back pain | Physiotherapist, GP |
| Bad breath | Dentist |
| Bedwetting, child (enuresis) | School Nurse |
| Behaviour problems in under 5s (Sleeping, eating, potty-training, tantrums) | Health Visitor |
| Benefits help and advice | Self-refer Citizens Advice, Social Services |
| Bites, insect or animal | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Bleeding from any source, heavy or prolonged | 999 |
| Bleeding from rectum | GP |
| Bleeding from vagina | GP |
| Bleeding from vagina, after intercourse | GP |
| Bleeding from vagina, after menopause | GP |
| Blindness sudden, one/both eyes | A&E, (Eye Casualty) |
| Blisters | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Blood in urine, no symptoms of infection | GP |
| Blood pressure measurement | Practice Nurse |
| Blood Test | Practice Nurse |
| Bottle feeding issues | Health Visitor |
| Breast feeding issues | Health Visitor |
| Breast lumps | GP |
| Breathlessness, moderate to severe | A&E, GP |
| Breathlessness, severe, stopped or colour change | 999 |
| Broken bones | Minor Injuries Unit if minor A&E if major |
| Bruising, unexplained | GP |
| Bunion | Self-refer Podiatry |
| Burns or scalds, minor | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Burns or scalds, severe | A&E |
| Catarrh | Self-care, Pharmacy |
| Catheter problems at home | District Nurse |
| Change in bowel habit (especially if loose stools) | GP |
| Chest infection (persistent fever, difficulty breathing, bloody sputum, very unwell) | GP (otherwise Self-care or Pharmacy if simple cough) |
| Chest pain, suspected heart attack | 999 |
| Chest pain | GP |
| Chickenpox | Self-care |
| Childhood conditions, allergies, infections | Health Visitor, GP |
| Chiropody (podiatry) | Self-refer Podiatry |
| Choking | 999 |
| Cold sores | Pharmacy |
| Colic, baby | Health Visitor |
| Common cold | Self-care, Pharmacy |
| Conjunctivitis | Pharmacy, Minor Injuries Unit |
| Constipation, adult, with no other symptoms | Pharmacy |
| Constipation, child | Health Visitor if under 5, School Nurse |
| Contraception, emergency | Pharmacy, GP |
| Contraception, general | Practice Nurse, GP |
| COPD (chronic bronchitis) | Practice Nurse |
| Corns and callouses | Self-refer Podiatry |
| Cosmetic Surgery | GP |
| Cough | Self-care, Pharmacy |
| Cough, longer than 3-4 weeks | GP |
| Coughing up blood | GP |
| Crabs (pubic lice) | Self-refer STD clinic |
| Cramps, leg | Self-care |
| Crying baby | Health Visitor, GP |
| Cuts, lacerations, minor | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Cystitis | Pharmacy |
| Dandruff | Self-care, Pharmacy |
| Deafness, adult | GP |
| Deafness, children | School Nurse, Health Visitor |
| Deep Lacerations | 999 |
| Delivery, problems after recent childbirth | Midwife |
| Dental problems, any | Dentist |
| Depression (low mood), mild to moderate | Self-refer Counselling |
| Dermatitis | Pharmacy, GP |
| Diarrhoea and vomiting (stomach bug) | Self-care, Pharmacy |
| Diarrhoea, at night-time, bloody or persistent | GP |
| Difficulty swallowing | GP |
| Dizziness | GP |
| Domestic violence | Health Visitor, Social Services (emergency, ring 999) |
| Dressings at home | District Nurse |
| Dressings in surgery | Practice Nurse |
| Drowning | 999 |
| Drug abuse | Self-refer Addiction services |
| Ear wax | Pharmacy, Practice Nurse |
| Earache | Pharmacy |
| Eating disorders, mild to moderate | Self-refer Counselling, GP |
| Eczema | Pharmacy |
| Eczema, infected or inflamed | GP |
| Emotional problems | Self-refer Counselling |
| Enemas (for constipation) at home | District Nurse |
| Erection problems | GP |
| Eye infections | Pharmacy, Minor Injuries Unit |
| Eye pain (with no foreign body) | GP (Same day), Eye casualty |
| Falls, accidental, with any injuries | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Family planning | Practice Nurse, Family Planning Clinic, GP |
| Feeding problems, under 5s | Health Visitor |
| Financial and debt problems | Self-refer Citizens Advice |
| Fits, seizure or uncontrollable shaking | 999 |
| Flu | Self-care |
| Flu, or viral illness | Self-care, Pharmacy |
| Food poisoning | Self-care |
| Foreign bodies, in skin, ear, eye, nose | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Frozen shoulder | Self-refer Physio Direct |
| Fungal infections, including nail | Pharmacy |
| Gastritis | Pharmacy |
| Gastroenteritis | Self-care |
| Genital warts | Self-refer STD clinic |
| Grazes (abrasions) | Self-care, Minor Injuries Unit |
| Gum disease | Dentist |
| Haemorrhoids, not bleeding | Pharmacy |
| Hangover | Self-care |
| Hay fever | Pharmacy |
| Head injuries, minor (no loss of consciousness) | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Head Injury with symptoms e.g. loss of consciousness | A&E |
| Head lice | Pharmacy |
| Headache | Pharmacy (but see GP if persistent) |
| Health anxiety | Self-refer Counselling |
| Heartburn | Pharmacy |
| Herpes, genital | Self-refer STD clinic |
| High blood sugar | GP |
| High Cholesterol/Fatty Liver | GP |
| High temperature in child, otherwise playing, attentive | Pharmacy |
| High temperature in child, unwell | GP |
| Hoarseness, more than 3 weeks | GP |
| Hypothermia | 999 |
| Impetigo | Pharmacy, GP |
| Impotence | GP |
| In growing toenails | Self-refer Podiatry |
| Incontinence | Self-refer Continence Service, DN |
| Indigestion | Pharmacy |
| Infected eczema | GP |
| Injuries | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Irritable bowel syndrome | Pharmacy, GP |
| Itching | Self-care, Pharmacy |
| Jaundice (yellow skin) | GP |
| Jaw joint pain | Dentist |
| Joint pain Self-refer | Physiotherapist, GP |
| Kidney infection (e.g., loin pain, temperature, vomiting) | GP |
| Knee pain | Physiotherapist |
| Lacerations, cuts, minor | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Leg ulcers at home | District Nurse |
| Lethargic, feverish child | Children’s A&E, GP |
| Loss of weight, unintentional | GP |
| Low blood sugar (hypo) not responding to sugar | A&E |
| Low mood, mild to moderate | Self-refer Counselling |
| Lumps, hard, irregular shape, fixed in position, increasing size | GP |
| Malaria, prevention for travel | Practice Nurse |
| Medication review | Pharmacy, GP |
| Meningitis, suspected | 999 |
| Migraine | Pharmacy (but see GP if persistent or severe) |
| Moles, changing in appearance | GP |
| ‘Morning after’ pill | Pharmacy |
| Motor vehicle accidents (RTAs) | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Mouth ulcers | Pharmacy |
| Mouth ulcers, lasting more than 3 weeks | GP, Dentist |
| Muscle aches | GP |
| Muscle sprains and strains | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Nail care | Self-refer Podiatry |
| Nasal congestion | Pharmacy |
| Neck pain | Physiotherapist, GP |
| Night sweats | GP |
| Nipple discharge or rashes on nipple | GP |
| Nose bleeds | Self-care (if not stopping after 30mins, go to A&E) |
| Obesity (excessive weight) | Self-care |
| Obsessive-compulsive disorder, mild to moderate | Self-refer Counselling |
| Other | GP |
| Overdose of medication | A&E |
| Pain, at night, affecting sleep | GP |
| Palliative care | GP |
| Palpitations | GP |
| Panic attacks | Self-refer Counselling |
| Paralysis | 999 |
| Parenting support, family health, relationships (under 5 years) | Health Visitor |
| Patient reviewed | GP |
| Period problems | GP |
| Phobias | Self-refer Counselling |
| Piles, not bleeding | Pharmacy |
| Pill | Practice Nurse |
| Pins and needles | Self-care, but see GP if persistent/recurring |
| Podiatry | Self-refer Podiatry |
| Poisoning | A&E |
| Postnatal depression, worries about mental health after delivery | Health Visitor |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, mild to moderate | Self-refer Counselling |
| Pregnancy related symptoms | Midwife, GP |
| Quinsy (pus filled swelling around tonsil) | GP |
| Quitting smoking | Self-refer Stop Smoking Service |
| Rashes | Minor Injuries Unit, GP |
| Rashes, non-blanching | GP(but if meningitis is suspected, ring 999 as above) |
| Rectal bleeding | GP |
| Respite care | Social Services |
| Rib injuries | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Ringworm | Pharmacy |
| Road traffic accidents (RTAs) | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Runny nose | Pharmacy |
| Safeguarding concerns | GP, Social Services |
| Scabies | Pharmacy |
| Sexually transmitted diseases | Self-refer STD clinic |
| Shingles | GP (preferably same day) |
| Shoulder injuries | Physiotherapist |
| Shoulder, frozen | Physiotherapist |
| Sinusitis | Pharmacy |
| Skin Infection | GP |
| Skin lesion, changing | GP |
| Sleep disturbance | Pharmacy |
| Social anxiety, shyness | Self-refer Counselling |
| Social issues | Social Services |
| Soiling, child (encopresis) | School Nurse |
| Sore throat | Self-care, Pharmacy (but see GP if persistent) |
| Splinters | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Sports injuries | Physiotherapist |
| Sprains and strains | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Stings | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Stress | Self-refer Counselling |
| Stroke, suspected | 999 |
| Sty | Pharmacy |
| Substance misuse | Self-refer Addiction services |
| Suicide risk or risk of self-harm | GP |
| Sunburn, adult | Self-care, Pharmacy |
| Sunburn, child | GP, Children’s A&E |
| Swallowed large or sharp object | A&E |
| Swallowing difficulty | GP |
| Sweating, at night, with or without fever | GP |
| Syringe drivers | GP |
| Teeth grinding | Dentist |
| Teething | Pharmacy, Health Visitor |
| Tennis elbow | Physiotherapist, GP |
| Terminal care | GP, District Nurse |
| Threadworms | Pharmacy |
| Thrush | Pharmacy |
| Tiredness, excessive, prolonged and without obvious reason | GP (otherwise Self-care) |
| Toe nail problems | Self-refer Podiatry |
| Tonsillitis | Pharmacy, GP |
| Tooth abscess | Dentist |
| Toothache | Dentist |
| Travel advice | Practice Nurse (inform Reception first) |
| Ulcer (open sore), diabetic | Practice Nurse (same day) |
| Unable to pass urine at all | GP, A&E |
| Unconscious | 999 |
| Unresponsive or feverish baby | Children’s A&E |
| Unsure of what to do | NHS 111 |
| Urine infection, in (wo)men | GP |
| Urine infection, uncomplicated, in women | Pharmacy |
| Urticaria | GP |
| Vaginal bleeding | GP (but also see bleeding from vagina above) |
| Vaginal infections, discharge, vaginosis | GP |
| Verruca | Pharmacy |
| Vertigo | GP |
| Viral illness | Self-care |
| Visual problems (not blindness) | Optician (same day) |
| Vomiting | Pharmacy |
| Walking aids | Self-refer Mobility Service |
| Warts, genital | Self-refer STD clinic |
| Warts, rest of body | Pharmacy |
| Weaning issues | Health Visitor |
| Weight loss, unintentional | GP |
| Welfare rights | Self-refer Citizens Advice, Social Services |
| Wheelchair | Self-refer Mobility Service |
| Wheezing | GP |
| Whiplash | Physiotherapist, Self care |
| Wind, flatulence | Pharmacy |
| Wound infections, minor | Minor Injuries Unit |
| X-ray | Minor Injuries Unit |
| Yellow fever vaccination | Practice Nurse (inform Reception first) |