As half term approaches, the NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire is asking parents and carers to refresh their knowledge of where to go for the right healthcare service, and to log the details in its free family planner.
Ideal for fridge doors and family noticeboards, the planner signposts households to where they can go for everything from self-care to minor illnesses and injuries.
It also has space for parents to jot down important contact details for their GP practice and nearest urgent and emergency care services.
The planner can be downloaded at www.bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth.
Beginning for many schoolchildren later this week, this year’s half term break coincides with both Halloween and the first taste of true autumnal weather, meaning there could be an increased chance of children getting injured or catching something contagious, such as flu, Covid-19 or norovirus.
To help limit the spread of these illnesses, people should practise good hand hygiene and those displaying symptoms – including coughing, having a sore throat or experiencing bouts of sickness or diarrhoea – should stay at home until at least 48 hours after fully recovering.
Dr Amanda Webb, Chief Medical Officer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said:
“Parents know how best to care for their son or daughter, and that the most common childhood illnesses can usually be managed effectively at home through self-care, but for those times when things aren’t so straightforward, that’s where this planner really can help.
“Having important details logged in one place means that when a child suddenly becomes unwell, or has an injury that looks like it might need to be checked by a professional, parents know straightaway who to call or where to go.
“In the same way that every house should have its own medicine box filled with the everyday essentials that help to keep people well, such as plasters, paracetamol and cough medicine, this planner should also be a staple in every family home.”
As well as having the planner on display at home, parents should also have the address for NHS 111 – www.111.nhs.uk – saved as a favourite on their smartphone, laptop or tablet.
The online service, which can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is able to provide real-time health and care advice based on a person’s specific set of symptoms.
Where appropriate, NHS 111 can also offer diagnoses and suggest tailored treatment plans, as well as make referrals to face-to-face health and care services, should the condition need to be seen in-person.
Similar help can also be sought from any one of the region’s many community pharmacies, all of which can provide information on medicines, share general health and care advice and dispense emergency prescriptions.
Community pharmacists can also prescribe appropriate medication for seven common conditions – sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and urinary tract infections in women – meaning families can get the medicine they need without having to visit a GP.
People can find details of their nearest pharmacy by using the Find a Pharmacy tool on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk.
Further information about all local health and care services, as well as advice on keeping children well, can be found online at www.bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth.
