We
are able to share the care for our health among competent
doctors and other carers. To maintain our health system
at its present level, or even to improve on it, we need
to make the best possible use of available facilities. This
means that we have to make choices. Choices need to be made
not just by the authorities, but also by patients, doctors,
hospitals, insurers, and other organisations and people
involved in health care.
Self-care
also means knowing just when, and how quickly, to consult
a doctor.
The aim of the What should I do? programme
is to help you make those choices. You will find descriptions
of a number of commonly occurring complaints and advice
about what you can do yourself. In addition there is information
about when and how quickly you should consult a doctor.
On
a minor scale we can also do things ourselves. For instance,
not immediately calling on the health service with every
minor complaint, but first trying to do something about
it ourselves. In other words, practising self-care.
What
you can do yourself
Where
the Web page says What you can
do yourself, it means there are self-care steps
you can take for your health and well-being yourself. For
example:
Recognising
the symptoms of commonly occurring illnesses and complaints.
Knowing
what you can do about them.
Knowing
when to call upon help from a doctor or other carers.
Contact
your doctor
Where
the Web page says Contact your
doctor, it means make an appointment during surgery
times, or visit during the non-appointment sessions.
Contact
your doctor immediately
Where
the Web page says Contact your
doctor immediately, it means even at night and
weekends.
OUR
HEALTH SERVICE
The front
line health service is there to provide you with the information,
help and treatment you need when you find that SELF-CARE
is no longer possible or no longer adequate. The general
practitioner is the first proper person to consult about
your health. He or she knows your personal circumstances
and medical history and is therefore in the best position
to judge what should happen.
Points
to Remember
Self-care
is the proactive management of your own health everyday.
Self-care
is the first step taken to combat ill health.
Self-care
is knowing when and how to treat a minor ailment yourself.
Self-care
and self medication are pre-primary healthcare.
This
Web Site reflects the contents of some of the printed material
which makes up the What should I do? programme.
In particular you would be well advised to ask your GP surgery
for a copy of the 64-page What should I do?
booklet. If they do not have any copies in stock then
to order your copy use one of the following methods:
Note:
The medical advice available on this Web Site is tailored
to reflect advice commonly given to patients by the majority
of professional Primary Carers in the UK. The advice, which
is reviewed and updated on a regular basis, may well be
different to that offered by medical professionals in other
countries. Always check with your local medical professionals
to determine the most appropriate course of action for your
own medical problem.
