Self-care
There are lots of things you can do at home to help manage your symptoms for minor ailments, like colds and coughs.
By treating yourself at home, you could save a trip to the surgery and make sure patients with serious health problems are seen by your GP first.
Self-care at home
You can find helpful tips and advice about some of the most effective home treatments for the following on the NHS website:
- Back pain
- Common cold
- Constipation
- Coughs
- Dermatitis
- Earache
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Headaches
- Insect bites and stings
- Migraines
- Nasal congestion (blocked nose)
- Sprains and strains.
HANDi Paediatric App
Parents, carers and healthcare professionals can get advice and information about clinical pathways for common childhood conditions through the free HANDi Paediatric app.
The app, already used by thousands of parents and carers across Devon, gives up-to-date advice on how to treat common childhood conditions, alongside information about when and how to ask for help, along with what to expect when their child is being assessed by a doctor or nurse.
The app has been developed by paediatric consultants and provides access to home care plans, as well as GP and hospital clinical guidelines, for the most common childhood health care conditions:
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- ‘Chesty baby’ illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, asthma and croup
- ‘Chesty child’ illnesses, such as wheezing and asthma
- High temperature
- Abdominal pain
- Common newborn problems
Download the HANDi Paediatric app.
If you are concerned about a medical issue and have tried the suggestions in the link above, then please book an appointment to see your GP. You can do this online by using our online system.
Contact your local pharmacist
Your local pharmacist will be able to help you with lots of health issues too. You’ll be able to ask them about your health concerns and when to visit your GP.
Support for mental health
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with their mental health, then there’s lots of support available. Visit our mental health page for more information about the support available in the local community.
Stopping or reducing medication
You may have been sent a link to this page from the medical centre as a patient who may want to reduce or stop certain medication. Please do look at the information and let us know if we can help further.
Antidepressant Medication
Please see this link for more information as to how to reduce or stop antidepressant medication.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss further with our prescribing team
Other NHS services
As well as the surgery, there are many other local NHS services you can contact for health advice, information or treatment.
You can find out more about the NHS services available in your local community. Visit our What support do I need? page for more information. You can also visit the NHS services near you page on the NHS website.