Health Advice

111

What is an emergency?

General Practice is not an emergency service but we can manage urgent problems if we are open.

An emergency is a medical condition or symptom which requires immediate care as it is life-threatening or could result in serious injury/irreversible harm.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if you or someone has any of these:

  • signs of a heart attack (chest pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest)

  • signs of a stroke (face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking)

  • sudden confusion or delirium (unsure of own name or age)

  • suicide attempt (by taking something or self-harming)

  • severe difficulty breathing (not being able to get words out, choking or gasping)

  • a serious accident, or severe injuries burns or scalds

  • heavy bleeding (spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle)

  • severe injuries (after a serious accident or assault)

  • a seizure or fit (shaking, jerking, or unconscious & can’t be woken up)

  • sudden, rapid swelling (of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue)

When the Surgery is closed:

You should use the NHS 111 service if you need urgent medical help or advice for a physical issue that is not life-threatening. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need help call NHS 111 and select option 2 to speak to specially trained mental health staff who can discuss your mental health care needs.

You can also access NHS 111 online via www.111.nhs.uk (this service is for people aged 5 and over).

Who Should I See?

A GP may not be the only one who can assist you with your health needs, take a look at the information below to see which helathcare professional is right for you.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

If you require urgent care or are having a mental health crisis, please call NHS 111 Mental Health Option.

You can also click on the following link

www.cpft.nhs.uk/helpinacrisis

Keep Your Head is a useful resource with lots of information 

www.keep-your-head.com

Domestic abuse can also have serious effects on your mental health

www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

 

 

Pharmacy First Scheme

Your pharmacist may be help you for minor illnesses via the Pharmacy First Scheme.

Minor illnesses include conditions which will get better on their own, such as viral coughs, colds and rashes, as well as conditions which can be helped by remedies sold by your local pharmacy.

Information on the Pharmacy First Scheme 

They can treat:

  • earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
  • impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
  • infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
  • shingles (aged 18 years and over)
  • sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
  • sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
  • urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)

You can find advice on any condition on the NHS website www.nhs.uk/conditions 

Dentistry

Doctors are not dentists and are not qualified to give dentistry advice. We encourage all our patients to register with a dentist to ensure good dental care, and to contact your dentist with any dental 

You can find a local dentist to register with by inputting your post code on the NHS website 

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/services-near-you

If you have an emergency dental problem and are not registered with a dentist, please contact the emergency dental service at Cambridge Dental Access Centre on:  

0300 555 6667 option 1. 

Call 111 at weekends and evenings. 

Physiotherapy

We are lucky to now have a First Contact Physiotherapists working with us. Chris Campany has appointments on Tuesdays, Thursdays. Niranja has appointments on Fridays. They can offer initial assessments, management advice or arrange further assessment, if required. He works closely with the rest of the Woodlands Clinical Team.

Alternatively you can self-refer to a physiotherapist via Dynamic Health:

www.eoemskservice.nhs.uk

Sexual health

While Woodlands Surgery can assess and give some advice for those with symptoms of sexually transmitted disease, we would usually direct you to specialist services for comprehensive testing and screening. Locally iCASH is a confidential NHS service which offers screening and treatment for sexual health problems.  

www.icash.nhs.uk/where-to-go/icash-cambridgeshire

Carers

A carer is someone who provides support to an adult family member or friend who could not live independently, or whose health would deteriorate, without this help. Here is a link to the council website with useful resources and advice.

www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/adults/looking-after-someone

Parent Carers:

send.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/kb5/cambridgeshire/directory/site.page?id=9n5eMfGl7nc

Young Carers:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/being-a-young-carer-your-rights

Addiction and Stopping Smoking

If you have an addiction, you're not alone. According to the charity Action on Addiction, 1 in 3 people are addicted to something.

If you or someone you know requires help overcoming an addiction a good place to start is booking into see a GP. Alternatively you can find futher information and details of local services by clicking here.

Stopping Smoking:

Did you know that the sooner you quit, the sooner you’ll notice changes to your body and health. Eg:

After 72 hours you’ll notice your breathing is easier!

After 2-12 weeks your circulation will have improved!

After 1 year your risk of heart attack will have halved!

After 10 years your risk of lung cancer death will have halved!

So stop today and contact Healthy You on 0333 0050093 or speak to our nurses for support.

https://www.nhs.uk/services/service-directory/healthy-you-cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-stop-smoking-service/N10972779

Children and Young Adults

All babies and children get ill from time to time but it can be difficult to know when they are seriously unwell. Please see this link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/health/is-your-baby-or-toddler-seriously-ill/

Here is a useful summary of common childhood illnesses and well-being:

https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/advice/childhood-illnesses

 Woodlands Surgery has links to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Health Visiting and School Nursing Service but you can contact them directly:

https://www.cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk/services/cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-healthy-child-programme-health-visiting-and-school-nursing-service/

 Children and Young Adults’ mental health is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health allows children and young people to develop resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them. Keep your Head is a useful website with information about local and national resources as well as advice.

Health and Wellbeing

According to WHO “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

At Woodlands Surgery we wish to promote lifestyle changes to enable our patients to feel healthy. Small changes are easier to make initially and then build on these.

There are 6 pillars of Healthy Lifestyle

Mental Wellbeing - See our pages about mental health and please speak to someone if you are struggling with your mood or anxiety. 

https://www.keep-your-head.com/ 

Woodlands Surgery wish to promote:

  • Supporting people to find purpose and meaning in life
  • Encouraging people to access nature and the outdoors
  • Using non-pharmaceutical, ‘positive psychology’ interventions such as gratitude practices, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Minimising Harmful Substances

This includes watching alcohol intake, smoking, unhealthy foods, illicit drugs and pollution.

Healthy Relationships

Enjoying healthy and meaningful relationships and better social connection is essential for good mental and physical health.

We are hardwired to connect with each other; we are social beings and our family and community relationships give our lives purpose and meaning.

Some aspects of our modern lifestyles are acting to the detriment of our relationships and social connections. Whilst the internet and social media can in some instances bring people together, it can also have the opposite effect.

Local Resources

https://haycambridge.co.uk/activities/

Here at Woodlands Surgery with have a Social Prescriber, Care Coordinator and Mental Health Connector who can help our patients who are struggling with loneliness which is affecting their health. Please contact us for more details.

Healthy Eating

Having a poor diet is considered a significant risk factor for a range of chronic diseases.

Evidence shows that we should avoid ultra-processed food as much as possible( ie processed with additives and preservatives as well as high salt,fat and sugar content)

We should eat a diet full of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes.

Aim for low processed and high welfare meats and fish if eating meat.

We should opt for wholewheat and wholegrain foods where possible.

Sleep

Sleep is essential for giving our bodies and brains a rest and restoring energy levels. A regular sleep pattern helps us achieve the recommended 7-9 hours a night.

Physical Activity

We spend too much time sedentary at work, watching TV and driving. Any sort of exercise or physical activity is good for our health and wellbeing, with new evidence showing it can be as effective as medication for mild depression. 

We should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, spread over 4-5 days and include some strengthening exercises. we should alos avoid spending too much time sitting. 

If you have a chronic condition your GP may be able to do an exercise on prescription.

https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/fitness-for-adults-with-long-term-medical-conditions