The PPG provides links to resources that support patients in taking control of their health and developing self-help strategies - using on-line services
Self-help and making the best use of the services provided by the Practice
There is no one right way to think about how to take responsibility for your own health.
However the two main starting points are:
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managing your long term health condition or
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using on-line services to manage your wellness and minor ailments.
Maintain a balance in your life
Managing your long term health condition
If you are managing a long term health condition that has been diagnosed by a health practitioner you will be following advice about how best to cope with your condition. This may include medication or managing your lifestyle to avoid making your illness worse. By following this advice you are taking responsibility for your health.
You may need regular visits to the practice to check on your condition. However this may not need to be your GP as the Practice has a variety of other health practitioners who are specialists in dealing with a specific health issue, who it might be better for you to see.
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The Practice Receptionist is your friend in working out whom it might be best for you to see and in some instances it may not be your GP. So please help them to identify the person who is best placed to help you.
So when you are faced with the idea of self-help to manage your 'illness' or 'wellness' you are not on your own. There is a variety of support available and you need to seek the type which is right for you in the situation you find yourself.
See the column on the right to learn about on-line services.
Also look out for activities that the PPG promote to provide information on common illnesses that are aimed to support you in managing your health needs related to a specific condition.
eConsult: What's in it for patients to use eConsult?
Save time & Access wherever and whenever you want from any device, and completed at a pace that suits you. You may not need a trip to the surgery and your query may be resolved with a phone call
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Continuity of care from your own GP practice – with the convenience of online access
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Medical advice 24/7 – check your symptoms and receive on the spot medical advice and treatment guidance thanks to NHS Choices content
Where does it hurt?
Click the body map images shown below, to go to eConsult. Scroll down and choose the body map option to find out about the treatment suggested for what is giving you concern.
On-line services
Patient Access is a website and mobile app which gives you access to a range of GP services online, as well as access to your health records.
Using Patient Access will allow you to:
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Book your GP appointments from the website or app
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Order your repeat prescriptions directly from the website or app
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Access your medical records
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Click on the heart to sign up for Patient
Access
Managing the health needs of your children
The NHS website 'Healthier Together' has topic based advice to support parents and carers to manage concerns about the health of a child for which they care. The guidance supports parents or carers in deciding which health care professional might be best placed to help in the first instance. Depending on the seriousness of the health problem, this may be someone other than the GP. Click on the image below to go to the site for further information.
In addition to short term illness issues you will find by clicking the image above, the site provides information about longer term developmental issues to help your child grow safe and healthy. These are shown in the images on the right, under the heading 'keeping your child safe and healthy. Click the image to go to the webpage showing this information.
