Your guide to local health services in Harrow, Brent and Ealing Self-care Self-care is about avoiding becoming ill, treating common 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 and improves your quality of life.
NHS 111 You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation. The free telephone number is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is staffed with trained medical advisers. They will ask you some questions then direct you to the right service for your need.
• Get your free flu jab: The jab is free for people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people suffering from an underlying health condition, children aged two and three (on 31 August 2018), children in reception class and school years one, two, three and four and some carers of elderly or unwell people.
• Make sure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home: There’s no need to panic if you have a minor cut, a headache, a cough or cold, or a splinter. You can treat these things quickly and easily in the comfort of your own home as long as you are prepared.
• Keep warm, keep well: It is important to keep your house warm, at least 18 degrees celsius (64.4 degrees fahrenheit) if you or anyone staying with you is over 65. Keeping warm helps reduce risk of cold and flu, heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and even depression.
• Look out for other people: Remember that other people, such as older neighbours, friends and family members, may need a bit of extra help over the winter. Make sure they are stocked up with enough food supplies for a few days, in case they can’t go out.
• Manage winter symptoms at home: Rest, drink plenty of fluids, have at least one hot meal a day to keep your energy levels up, use over over-the-counter medications to help give relief.
• Wash your hands: Aside from having your flu vaccine, the best way to prevent the spread of flu is to practice good hand hygiene. Catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
GPs GPs have more contact with patients than any other service in the NHS. GPs have access to your medical records so they can see all your health needs. When you see your GP they can: • Provide advice on physical and mental health problems • Provide diagnosis and treatment for a range of conditions • Help you with long-term care • Arrange referrals to hospital specialists, community-based services, or other GPs when necessary You will find that many additional services, previously provided only in hospital, can now be delivered by a GP,
which means you don’t need to go to hospital for care such as blood tests, wound care, and some diabetes treatments.
Need to see a GP or nurse in the evening or at the weekend? Evening and weekend GP appointments are available to book near you. Residents can access GP and practice nurse appointments from 6.30-8pm (6-9pm in Brent, Kensington and Chelsea, Queen’s Park and Paddington), Monday to Friday and from 8am-8pm on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. You can access these extended appointments by calling your GP or calling NHS 111 when your GP is closed.
Registering with a GP It is very important to be registered with a GP. Make sure you are registered with a GP so that you can make an appointment in future if you need to. Being registered with a GP also means you can get referred to specialist hospital and community treatment if you need it. For more information on how to register, please visit www.nhs.uk