I need advice

Flu can be very unpleasant for children. They have the same symptoms as adults – including fever, chills, aching muscles, headache, stuffy nose, dry cough and sore throat lasting up to a week.

It’s a real worry when children become ill. Understandably, we don’t want to take any risks. Parents and carers can now find NHS advice at their fingertips to help look after their children’s health. ‘Looking after your child’s health’ is an important NHS guide for parents and carers of children aged 0-5 year.

The NHS Child Health app gives easy to understand guidance on childhood illnesses, recognising when your child is unwell, and advice on when and where to seek further treatment.

www.urgentoremergency.co.uk/child_health.html

Children often get a high temperature (a fever) when they are poorly. If the child’s temperature is above 37.5 degrees centigrade (or if you don’t have a thermometer but you think your child has a temperature), try to lower it as follows:

• Make the room cooler by turning off the fire and opening the window.
• Take off the child’s warm clothing.
• If your child is in bed only a sheet is needed while the child is hot.
• Give plenty of cool drinks.
• Some children find sponging with tepid (cool but not cold) water soothing.
• If your child still feels hot, or is miserable, give Paracetamol. Give the higher but correct dose as prescribed on the packet. Repeat every four hours if necessary to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours.
• If your child does not improve after taking Paracetamol, contact the doctor.
• You will not make your child worse if you take him/her in a pram or car to see the doctor. Sometimes the fresh air makes feverish children feel better.

• Cervical Smears
• Flu Clinics
• General Health Checks
• Lifestyle Advice
• Travel Vaccinations

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS if your GP practice is signed up to provide vaccination (immunisation) services.

• Polio (given as a combined Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio jab)
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A

These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.

Newly Pregnant?

Some patients will ask the Practice/GP to carry out services that do not come under the Practice’s NHS Contract and are classed as Non-NHS services. This work will incorporate a fee that is payable by the patient. The service is delivered at the discretion of all individual GPs.

Please ask our Reception for the fees associated with these services.

The NHS does not pay for some of the services we provide.

These include:

• Private Sick Notes
• Insurance Forms
• Holiday Cancellation Forms
• Medical Reports
• Fitness to Travel Certificates
• Private Prescriptions
• Passport Signing
• Some Vaccination Services

Our fees for these services, which are in line with BMA approved national guidelines, are displayed in the surgery.

We are in the process of ensuring our services are the best for young people. If you have any comments on our services, good or bad please let the Practice Manager know.