Please click on any of the links below (highlighted in a blue font) for further detailed information
Cough, Cold, Earache, Sore Throat
Children: ‘When Should I Worry?’ is a booklet developed by researchers at Cardiff University. It provides information for parents about the management of respiratory tract infections (coughs, colds, sore throats, and ear aches) in children
Adults: Get Well Soon Without Antibiotics – information in English ਪੰਜਾਬੀ پنجابی Español हिंदी اردو ગુજરાતી Polski Français
and other languages
NHS Shared Decision Making Tools
can help you and your doctor decide on the best treatment for:-
- Acne
- Carpal Tunnel
- COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Gallstones
- Glue Ear
- Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Obesity
- Osteoarthritis
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing
- Recurrent Sore Throat
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Stable Angina
- Stroke Prevention for Atrial Fibrillation or Atrial Flutter
and many other conditions
Ottawa Hospital, Canada provides a search facility of its database of patient decision aids
Expert Patients Programme
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust offers a free 6 week course called the Expert Patients Programme for anyone living with any long term health condition. The Expert Patients Programme offers a tool-kit of techniques that support people with all kinds of long term health conditions, improving your quality of life, helping you to manage your condition better on a daily basis and increasing your confidence
As a participant, you will learn how to:
• Manage fatigue, sleep, pain, anger and depression
• Set goals and make action plans
• Problem solve
• Develop your communication skills
• Manage your emotions and daily activities
• Manage relationships with family, friends, work colleagues and health care professionals
• Understand the importance of exercise and healthy eating plus many more
To book directly, please click on the blue link above for more information –
– Or email: selfcare@walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk – Or telephone: 01922 605490
Mental and Emotional Health
The Royal College of Psychiatrists provides comprehensive health information in English ਪੰਜਾਬੀ پنجابی Español हिंदी اردو ગુજરાતી Polski Français
and other languages
streetlife.com offers a way to connect with your local community, to exchange information and to provide mutual help and support
The Five Ways To Wellbeing are the result of research by the New Economics Forum that set out five key life areas most people need to focus on in order to feel well and healthy. A checklist you might use to discover if you have the right balance?
End-Of-Life
Taking the approach that dying is a natural stage in our lives, the Dying Coalition offers a range of leaflets, films and other resources to support you and your family
Diabetes
Information & Videos from the Canadian Diabetes Association and the British Diabetic Association on healthy eating and diabetes management
In English ਪੰਜਾਬੀ پنجابی Español हिंदी اردو ગુજરાતી Polski Français and other languages
The Sound Doctor video: ‘Diabetes – Getting Started with Self Management’ is displayed above
The Sound Doctor provides a comprehensive range of free and for-purchase healthcare videos which can be helpful to patients and their families
Diabetes UK has produced a précis of different types of diet approaches which fit with modern thinking around successful weight-loss
Preventing and Potentially Reversing Type 2 Diabetes
Information on the 8 week blood sugar diet
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Diet
There is increasing interest in the benefits of the FODMAP diet for many gut and bowel symptoms such as irritable bowel disease.
Here are some links from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia
and Stanford Clinic in the USA
Diabetes UK has produced a précis of different types of diet approaches which fit with modern thinking around successful weight-loss
Cancer
Macmillan Cancer Support can help with a range of aspects of cancer and specifically:
Heart
Videos from the British Heart Foundation on reducing your risk of heart disease
Lungs
Information from the British Lung Foundation covering asthma, COPD, emphysema and other conditions
The Sound Doctor video: ‘COPD – Getting Started and Coping with Exacerbations’ is displayed above
The Sound Doctor provides a comprehensive range of free and for-purchase healthcare videos which can be helpful to patients and their families
Lab Test Results
What do your lab results mean? Lab Tests Online (UK) allows you to search for a test and read about its uses and significance
Pain Management
If you have been seen and investigated thoroughly by us and your hospital medical team, we may advise that we need to think about pain management options. Here are some website which can help:
www.britishpainsociety.org www.paincd.org.uk www.tna.org.uk www.franticworld.com
www.patient.co.uk/health/tens-machines
Steroid Joint Injections
If you have been diagnosed with a knee, shoulder or hand joint problem, you may wish to book in to have a steroid joint injection.
Prior to attending:
- Please read the general information on the benefits and risks of steroid injection from Arthritis Research UK
- Please read this information sheet that gives specific information on joint injection
- Please print off this consent form and bring it with you to your appointment
Back Pain
The Sound Doctor video: ‘Introduction to Back Pain’ is displayed above
The Sound Doctor provides a comprehensive range of free and for-purchase healthcare videos which can be helpful to patients and their families
Skin
Helpful patient information leaflets can be found at:
The British Association of Dermatologists
Benign Paroxysmal Postural Vertigo
If you have been diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, you may wish to book in to have the Epley Manouevre performed. This is demonstrated by Dr Fehilly in the following video along with self-help exercises to help benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Here is a useful leaflet (produced in the USA) for instructions for you to follow after having had the Epley Manouevre performed
Bed-wetting
Please click here for a useful patient information leaflet on bed-wetting
Age UK
Age UK – support for older patients is a pilot service set up to help put you in touch with groups and organisations which can help with support and cut down on social isolation. Let any member of Sycamore’s practice team know if you would like us to refer you or your elderly relative
Dementia
The Sound Doctor guide to getting the best out of life with Dementia
The Sound Doctor provides a comprehensive range of free and for-purchase healthcare videos which can be helpful to patients and their families
Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)
The Sound Doctor guide to bariatric surgery
The Sound Doctor provides a comprehensive range of free and for-purchase healthcare videos which can be helpful to patients and their families
Paracetamol and Ibuprofen
Mossley Fields practice have recently adapted the guidelines produced by Walsall CCG which aims to restrict the prescribing of Paracetamol and Ibuprofen products for short term use that can be bought at a reasonable cost over the counter. If this guideline is followed it will result in:
- Reduced patient reliance on prescribers for prescriptions.
- Reduced consultations for minor, self-limiting conditions.
- Increased patient self-reliance for minor conditions.
Funding of medicines available to purchase to treat self-limiting conditions and minor ailments and self-care is a personal responsibility.
Vitamin D
Mossley Fields surgery has recently adapted the guidelines produced by Walsall CCG on prescribing Vitamin D for daily supplementation.
The Department of Health recommends vitamin D supplementation in certain high risk adult groups in order to prevent Vitamin D deficiency.
- Funding of vitamin D supplements to protect and maintain bone, teeth and muscle health and for long term maintenance is a personal responsibility.
- Vitamin D is readily available to purchase in pharmacies, health food shops and supermarkets at a far lower cost than on prescription.
- It is expected that patients will purchase such supplements.
- Community pharmacists or other healthcare professionals are able to advise on suitable vitamin D products.
- For good sources of vitamin D, please visit NHS Choices website: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vitamins-minerals/Pages/Vitamin-D.aspx
- NB: *Pregnant /breastfeeding women may be eligible to obtain vitamins free of charge as part of the Healthy Start Scheme. Further information on the eligibility criteria can be found at healthystart.nhs.uk.
This does not affect GP prescribing of high-dose Vitamin D preparations that are not available over the counter.
Mossley Fields surgery will be working in line with the above guidance to promote self-care and will try to reduce the prescribing of these medicines.
For any questions or concerns about this guidance please get in touch with your practice.
Please give us feedback on this page, so we can improve the list of resources