Stocking up on essential medicines can help you treat minor illnesses and injuries at home. Self-care essentials include:
- pain relief (paracetamol and ibuprofen)
- cough and cold remedies
- upset stomach treatment
- heartburn and indigestion treatment
- first aid kit
Remember, children can get between eight to 10 colds a year, and a cough can last at least three weeks before it starts to improve.
Visiting your GP and getting medication on prescription, which could be easily bought over the counter at your local pharmacy, costs the local NHS approximately £45* each time you visit.
Save yourself time, and save the NHS money, see your pharmacist.
For further information on treatment of common childhood illnesses you can view or download the local NHS ‘Your Guide to Childhood Illnesses’. A handy guide on common childhood illnesses for parents of children under six, it also has information about spotting the signs of a serious illness and local NHS services. Alternatively, you can visit www.nhs.uk
link to the guide is: https://www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/news-and-events/leaflets-and-guides/your-guide-to-childhood-illnesses
*£45 is the average cost for GP consultation time, cost of the medication, and dispensing fee.