Patients can be signposted to the following self-care resources where appropriate:

  • Patients can find more information on the above conditions including signs and symptoms, advice and treatments and when to seek further help. Please click the link here: NHS: Conditions A to Z 
  • For details of how a pharmacy can help with self-care including the pharmacy first scheme (see further information below). Please click the link here: NHS: How pharmacies can help
  • Find a pharmacy website can help patients locate their nearest pharmacy. Please click the link here: Find a pharmacy - NHS
  • ‘The Self-Care Forum is the national charity which aims to further the reach of self-care and embed it into everyday life.’. Please click the link here: Self-Care Forum

Self Care Forum Logo

  • Patient’s can self-refer to local free health & wellbeing programmes such as weight loss, exercise and smoking cessation. Please click the link here: One You Lincolnshire

A triage tool can be found on NHS 111 online by clicking here: Check your symptoms - NHS 111. This can be used to allow patients to input their symptoms and check the level of care they should be seeking, whether that’s self-care, a pharmacist, a GP or emergency care.

An NHS information graphic titled 'Help Us Help You' showing healthcare options in a grid layout. It includes: Self Care: Treat minor issues like coughs, grazes, and sore throats at home. Pharmacy: Pharmacists offer advice and medicines for minor illnes

 

Think Pharmacy First logo

Most pharmacies can also offer prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment. This is called ‘Pharmacy First’.

Conditions they can offer a prescription medicine for are:

  • Impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
  • Infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
  • Earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
  • Sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
  • Sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
  • Shingles (aged 18 years and over)

If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice and support decisions about self-care treatment with over the counter medicines, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.

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Medicine Cabinet

The NHS recommends everyone keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet/container with self-care medicines.

By keeping certain useful medicines at home, you can treat common conditions immediately and you may not need to see a healthcare professional or GP. Always remember to keep medicines out of sight and reach of children.