Help us to help you. Look after your own health

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1 Help us to help you Look after your own health

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3 Help us to help you The NHS faces a number of big challenges with a growing population and increasing costs. There is a need to change the way we work, which includes helping you to help yourself. Supporting people means providing information and encouragement to help you have a better understanding of how to look after yourself, know what to do when you become ill and be able to monitor your health and take the right action. Helping you to care for yourself can improve your physical and mental wellbeing and change how you use NHS services. Be prepared Be prepared for some of the most common illnesses by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home. Your local pharmacist can give you advice on what to have. Some of the essentials are painkillers, antihistamines, fluid replacement drinks, indigestion treatment and a first aid kit. Self-care Self-care is about the healthy decisions you make for yourself and your family to get fit and stay well both physically and mentally. This includes taking care of minor illnesses and injuries as well as avoiding health hazards, such as smoking or drinking too much alcohol. Better self-care also includes exercising and eating well to prevent you getting ill in the future. Being able to self-manage symptoms such as coughs, colds, fever and minor aches and pains will not only improve your quality of life it will help you to sleep better and reduce minor headaches, all of which make you feel more positive and confident in taking control of your own health and life. The best way to self-care is to be prepared.

4 Have your flu jab The flu virus can be unpleasant. If you re healthy it will usually clear up on its own within a week. However it can be more serious if you: Are aged 65 and over Are pregnant Have an underlying long-term health condition (particularly heart or respiratory disease) Are a child or adult with a weakened immune system Therefore if you are in any of these risk groups we recommend you should have your FREE flu jab every year to protect yourself. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about getting your flu jab.

5 Reduce falls For older people falls can be very serious. However you don t just fall because you get older. Many falls can be linked to a physical condition or medical problem. You should talk to your doctor if you have a fall, it could be a sign of a medical problem that needs attention. There are a number of ways you can reduce your risk of falling. Take note of the following steps: Keep stable always wear well-fitting slippers or shoes Organise your home mop up spillages, remove clutter, keep your house well lit Be active do at least 30 minutes exercise a day such as walking, cycling or chair based Eat well at least 3 meals a day with plenty of fruit and vegetables and drink water to keep hydrated Manage alcohol intake check it doesn t interfere with your medication and drink within recommended guidelines For more information on how to avoid falls, call us on

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7 Use your pharmacist When you need advice from a health professional, why not pop to see your local pharmacist? They can give you advice on common illnesses such as coughs, colds, aches and pains and the medicines you need to treat them. They can also help you decide whether you need to see a doctor. You can talk to your pharmacist in confidence, even about the most personal symptoms and you don t need to make an appointment. Some of the many illnesses your pharmacist can treat are: Emergency contraception Chlamydia screening and treatment Bugs and viruses Minor injuries Tummy troubles Skin conditions Allergies Aches and pains Use medicines responsibly Medicine choices are constantly reviewed by your doctor to make sure we are using the most cost effective options, even if the active ingredients remain the same. So be aware this may result in your medicine(s) being changed. Use antibiotics wisely Your doctor should only prescribe antibiotics when you need them for infections caused by bacteria. If you are prescribed them you should always complete the full course, otherwise some bacteria may be left and the illness could come back or they could develop a resistance. You may not realise it but antibiotics do not work against virus infections such as earache, colds, most coughs and sore throats, which is why we recommend you drink plenty of water and rest instead. By using antibiotics only when necessary they are more likely to work when you really need them. For more information visit NHS Choices Don t waste medicines Did you realise unused prescription medicine costs the NHS 300 million a year. Help us to help you by checking your prescription and only ordering what you require. If you do receive medication that you don t need then leave it with your pharmacist. Once it leaves the pharmacy it cannot be reused and has to be destroyed. You may not have to pay, but medicine can be very expensive, so let s not waste it.

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9 Look after your mental health If you have been feeling down, anxious or stressed for more than a couple of weeks you may be facing mental health problems. Don t worry you re not alone. In every community 1 in 4 people experience these types of symptoms. Mental illness is as important as a physical illness so it s important you get help as soon as possible. Talking Therapy is a good way for you to talk to a qualified practitioner who can listen to you and help you find answers to your problems. You don t need to visit your doctor you can refer yourself online at HNF-TR.ERSPA-MentalHealth@nhs.net or ring To find out more, visit Don t ignore dementia As we get older memory loss can become a problem. If you find you re becoming more and more forgetful it s a good idea to speak to your doctor about dementia. The sooner you get a diagnosis the sooner you can get the right treatment which can be more effective and allow you to live independently in your own home for longer. You ll also receive the right support needed to help you and your family prepare and plan for the future and apply for appropriate financial benefits. For more information get in touch with the Hull and East Riding Alzheimer s Society, hull&eastridingservice@alzheimers.org.uk or ring

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11 Manage your long-term condition Living with a long-term condition can be difficult however life can be better if you re able to manage the condition yourself. Taking care of your own health and being able to selfcare can help you overcome the day to day challenges of your condition and improve your quality of life. Self-management doesn t mean you re on your own, it means you and the people who support you can make decisions together and produce a care plan to: Ensure you get the best support for you Decide how often you need support Clarify what can be done together and what you can do yourself If you have recently been diagnosed with a long-term condition speak to your doctor about putting together your care plan and possible training courses you can attend. The more you understand your condition the better you can manage it and be confident in making decisions about your care. Speak to your pharmacist about how a common ailment or illness may affect your condition. Also make sure you don t run out of your medication, keep stocked up and be prepared, especially over the Bank Holiday weekends. For more details speak to your doctor or visit NHS Choices

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13 Prepare for end of life Palliative and end of life care offers you help and support when you are in the last years, months or days of your life. It supports you to live as well as possible and die with dignity. Your doctor along with the healthcare professionals caring for you will ask about what kind of care you would like to receive, or where you would like to die and then work with you, your family and carer to put together your end of life plan. Your plan will make sure your family and everyone involved in your care know what kind of care you would like to receive, whether you want to refuse any kinds of treatment, whether or not you want to be resuscitated should you stop breathing and where you would like to die. The earlier you talk about your dying wishes and make plans, such as legal and financial matters, funeral plans etc. the easier it is emotionally and practically for everyone, allowing you to get on with making the most of life. For more details visit

14 Use NHS services responsibly The NHS belongs to you, use it responsibly. Many people don t use NHS services wisely or appropriately. Think about the best way to get the appropriate care for your situation. For example when you have a simple complaint such as a cough or cold, rather than turn up at Accident & Emergency (A&E) it would be a lot easier and quicker for you to treat the condition yourself or visit your pharmacist for advice. There are a range of local NHS services to choose from. You don t always have to go to A&E.

15 NHS 111 If you do need urgent help out of hours and you re not sure which service to choose, simply ring NHS 111. A trained call adviser will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and give you advice on where you should go for the best medical care. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. Text Relay * For more information visit NHS Choices Minor Injury Unit (MIU) MIUs are a great way to get fast and handy trustworthy advice and treatment for all minor injuries such as: Minor fractures Sprains Strains Cuts Bites Minor burns We would always recommend you use your local MIU when you need medical treatment or advice that DOES NOT need a visit to A&E. There are a number throughout the East Riding where you can simply walk in and be seen by a qualified nurse practitioner. For information including opening times, location and facilities visit A&E or 999 You should only attend A&E with the most serious and life-threatening emergencies and dial 999 if you think you need an ambulance. Symptoms of serious illness include: Life threatening choking Chest pain Blacking out Severe blood loss Severe breathing difficulty Depending on where you live in the East Riding of Yorkshire area there are three Accident & Emergency Hospitals you may wish to attend in an emergency: Hull Royal Infirmary Anlaby Road, Hull, HU3 2JZ Scarborough Hospital Woodland Drive, Scarborough, YO12 8QL York District Hospital Wigginton Road, York, YO31 7HE Text Relay connects you to 999*

16 Contact us If you would like to know more or require this document in an alternative format or language, please contact us. NHS East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group Health House Grange Park Lane Willerby East Riding of Yorkshire HU10 6DT eastridingofyorkshireccg.nhs.uk 2015 East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group *If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the Text Relay service. Visit ngts.org.uk for more information and to download an app for your mobile device.