Self-Care Information

"People have a responsibility to protect their own health, choosing appropriate treatments and managing long- term conditions.

In many cases people can take care of their minor ailments, reducing the number of GP consultations and allowing GPs to

focus on caring for more poorly patients, such as those with co-morbidities (more than one illness), the very young and elderly,

managing long-term conditions and providing new services.

A large range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home simply with over-the-counter medicines and plenty of

rest."

Be prepared for common ailments by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home.

Take a look at the self-care advice videos available at Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board :: Self care (icb.nhs.uk)
for tips on looking after yourself

Further information about self-care can be found here

A useful interactive resource is available here for GP's Pharmacists and other Healthcare professionals

GPs in East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen CCG's will no longer normally prescribe medicines which can be bought over-

the-counter for short term conditions and minor ailments.

What are short-term conditions and minor ailments?

Short-term conditions tend to improve on their own without a long-term effect on a person’s health. Minor ailments are

uncomplicated conditions which can be diagnosed and managed without seeing the doctor.

Some examples of these include: coughs, colds and sore throats; colic; threadworms; verrucas; warts; acne and indigestion.

What are over-the-counter medicines?

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can be bought directly without a prescription from a high street pharmacy, supermarket or

other shops and online. Some examples include: paracetamol and ibuprofen; antihistamines; eye drops to treat allergies and

indigestion treatments.

Why will over-the-counter medicines no longer be routinely prescribed?

We recently reviewed our policy to prescribe OTC medicines following a consultation with the public during July 2017, on

stopping the routine prescribing of these medicines. The majority of people who responded to ourconsultation supported this

proposal. The NHS spends valuable financial resources and doctors’ time on prescribing medicines and other products

that you can buy without a prescription. The money we can save could help to fund more procedures e.g.hip and knee

replacements, more drug treatments for breast cancer and more community nurses.

As our local population continues to grow, this prescribing places more pressure on scarce NHS resources. Medicines can be

bought from shops or pharmacies after seeking appropriate advice from a healthcare professional. Significant savings can be

made by not taking up a GP appointment for the supply of an OTC medicine and should also increase the availability of

appointments for patients with more serious conditions. In order to fund services of the greatest need in Lancashire,

we need to make sure that public money is being used in the most cost effective way. Reducing the prescribing of OTC

medicines is also now part of the NHS England agenda. Many CCGs around the country are restricting or stopping the

prescribing of OTC medicines on the NHS. It is not just the cost of the medicines which could be a saving but also NHS costs

or the entire process (including GP time for an appointment).