We are a self care aware practice.
What is self care?
Self care is about looking after yourself in a healthy way. It can be anything from 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, nurses and healthcare assistants in this practice will talk to you about what you can do to help maintain and improve your health.
Did you know?
- The NHS belongs to all of us. Help us to keep it working smoothly by turning up for appointments
- Every time you see a GP it costs the NHS £43, on average, for a 12-minute consultation
- A visit to Accident and Emergency costs £112
- Nearly half of people with long term conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes do not take their medicines as prescribed
Self care for common conditions
Did you know that one in five GP visits are for common conditions, such as backache, headache or cough? For most people, they are not a serious health problem; you just want to know how to relieve it and you want a treatment that acts fast. You also want to know how long you’re going to suffer or what you should do if your symptoms change. The good news is that self care can help you manage most of these problems. It may mean you don’t have to spend time waiting to see your GP but can get on and start tackling your symptoms. Self care for common conditions can also help free up some of your GP’s time, making it easier to get an appointment when you have a more serious condition.
For information on other common conditions, visit the the NHS Choices symptom checker where you can get advice on what to do next. If you need more advice or you are unsure what the right thing for you to do is, ask your pharmacist for advice or call the surgery to speak to a doctor or make an appointment to discuss your problem further.
Self care for healthy living
Staying healthy is important for everyone, even if you are living with a long-term condition. This means eating healthily, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and drinking in moderation.
This practice can offer you an appointment with a practice nurse or health care assistant who can advise and support you with weight management, smoking cessation and alcohol awareness that can help you live a healthy lifestyle. If you are not sure what changes you can make to help improve your health, the NHS website can give you advice on what changes may help you.
You can also visit our Wellbeing section.
Self care for long term conditions
Did you know that if you are living with a long term condition, you will spend, on average, six hours a year with a healthcare professional and the remaining 8,754 hours managing your health for yourself?
Living with a long term condition brings challenges and it’s important to have the confidence, support and information to manage your health. Self care can help you make the most of living with your condition, rather than avoiding or missing out on things because of it. Self care puts you in control. Research shows that people with long-term conditions who take more control of their health feel more able to cope with their health problem, have better pain management, fewer flare ups and more energy. We are committed to helping you live your life with a long term condition. That’s why we run services where you can get advice on the following conditions:
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Taking your medicines regularly is an important part of keeping yourself well. Many people have problems taking medicines such as remembering to take it at the right time and side effects. Speak to your pharmacist or practice nurse and they will be able to help you. We will also work in partnership with you to create the right care plan for your needs. It’s important to think about what you want from a care plan; it can help if you know what you want to discuss with your GP. The NHS suggests some questions you could ask:
- Where can I find out about self-help courses for people who have long-term conditions?
- I want to find out more about my condition. What are the best places to do this?
- Is there any new equipment that might help me manage day-to-day. If so, how do I get it?
- How do I meet other people who have the same condition as me? Is there a local or national support group?
- What support can I get to help me take my medicines?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I should make to help my health, such as giving up smoking, avoiding certain foods, or doing more of a certain type of exercise?
- What are the results of my tests and what do they mean for me?
- What happens next?
- What can I do?
- What can the doctor do?
Tips for living with a long term condition
- Accept you have a persistent health condition…and then begin to move on
- Take your medication as prescribed. If you have any problems with your medication, ask your pharmacist
- Get involved – building a support team
- Pacing – pacing your daily activities
- Learn to prioritise and plan your days
- Setting goals/action plans
- Being patient with yourself
- Learn relaxation skills
- Exercise
- Keep a diary and track your progress
- Have a plan for set-backs
- Team work – work with your practice team
- Keeping it up