Each year 25% of the population visit their GP for a respiratory tract infection (eg sinus, throat or chest infection). These are usually cased by viruses.
For patients who are other wise healthy, antibiotics are not necessary for viral infections.
These infection will normally clear up by looking after yourself at home with rest, plenty of fluids and paracetamol.
Sinusitis typically lasts 17 days
80% clear up in14 days without antibiotics
Cough/bronchitis typically lasts 21 days
Antibiotics reduce symptoms by only 1 day.
Antibiotics only work for infections caused by bacteria.
Taking unnecessary antibiotics for viral infections should be avoided because they may not be effective next time you have a bacterial infection.
Patients with long-term conditions such as asthma, diabetes and COPD are eligible for flu and pneumococcal vaccinations. Ask at reception for more information
Pharmacy First
The Pharmacy First service builds on the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service which has run since October 2019. The consultation service enables patients to be referred into community pharmacy for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply.
The new Pharmacy First service, launched 31 January 2024, adds to the existing consultation service and enables community pharmacies to complete episodes of care for 7 common conditions following defined clinical pathways.
Ear infections typically last 4 days
89% of cases clear up on their own
A sore throat typically lasts 7 days
40% of cases clear up after 3 days and 90% after 7 days without antibiotics
Medicine Cabinet
Medicine cabinet
You can treat many minor ailments such as colds, coughs and indigestion by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home.
We suggest you keep the following:
Paracetamol and aspirin (children under 16 and people with asthma should not take aspirin)
Mild laxatives
Anti-diarrhoeal medicines
Rehydration mixture
Indigestion remedy (for example, antacids)
Travel sickness tablets
Sunscreen – SPF15 or higher
Sunburn treatment (for example, calamine)
Tweezers and sharp scissors
A thermometer
A selection of plasters, non-absorbent cotton wool, elastic bandages and dressings
Remember:
Keep the medicine chest in a secure, locked place out of reach of small children
Always read the instructions and use the suggested dose
Watch expiry dates – don’t keep or use medicines past their sell-by date
Take all unwanted and out-of-date medicines back to the pharmacy
Other NHS services
As well as our practice, there are many other local NHS services you can contact for health advice, information or treatment.
You can ask your local pharmacist about lots of health issues, including when to visit your GP. And there’s no need for an appointment.
For further assistance or to receive this information in a different format:
01803 210493
Background
The Help to Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE) programme supports people living with health conditions and those closest to them to explore ‘What’s important to me?’
The course supports you to focus on yourself as a person not as a health condition and to explore strategies to keep yourself well. Attending the course will boost your self-confidence and resilience to help you cope emotionally, psychologically and practically.
The 6 week course is free to attend and takes place at various times and locations throughout Torbay and South Devon. Each weekly session lasts for 2½ hours and is run by trained HOPE facilitators: health and social care professionals as well as volunteers living with a long term condition.
What can you expect from a HOPE programme?
There are between 6 to 12 people on each course and time is spent in facilitated discussions, group activities, information sharing and ideas for you to try between each session.
You will find:
A warm, friendly atmosphere
Support when you need it
General small group discussions on topics such as:
Managing fatigue
Getting active
Feeling good
Goal setting
Gratitude diary
Managing stress
Communication
What can the HOPE programme do for you?
People who have already attended the programme tell us that they:
Feel reassured and able to recognise own potential to make positive changes
Use positive communication skills and reflective listening
Feel more confident in dealing with emotional issues – depression, anxiety, anger and frustration.
Know how to achieve long and short term plans for change by using the goal setting and problem solving steps.
Are able to use the relaxation techniques practised on the course to refresh the mind and body
Are less isolated
Feel more able to support and share with others
Bishop and Alice Cross Centre Memory Cafe
The Bishopsteignton Memory Cafe is a support group of volunteers who welcome people with memory concerns or dementia and their carers for an informal get together once a month.
They meet every on the first Monday of every month: 10:30 – 12:30pm
The Alice Cross Centre Memory Cafe is a group of volunteers, led by Alison Meaker, who welcome people with memory concerns or dementia, and their carers, to meet and enjoy a range of activities (including, for example, music and armchair exercises) in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment.
They meet every Thursday morning: 10:00 – 12:00
Address: The Alice Cross Centre, 1-3 Bitton Park Road, Teignmouth, TQ14 9BT.
Telephone Number: 01626 778039
Email address: info@thealicecross.co.uk
Help to Overcome Problems Effectively programme
Background
The Help to Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE) programme supports people living with health conditions and those closest to them to explore ‘What’s important to me?’
The course supports you to focus on yourself as a person not as a health condition and to explore strategies to keep yourself well. Attending the course will boost your self-confidence and resilience to help you cope emotionally, psychologically and practically.
The 6 week course is free to attend and takes place at various times and locations throughout Torbay and South Devon. Each weekly session lasts for 2½ hours and is run by trained HOPE facilitators: health and social care professionals as well as volunteers living with a long term condition.
How can you get on a course?
To find out further information about your nearest HOPE course, please contact either –
For further assistance or to receive this information in a different format:
01803 210493
What can you expect from a HOPE programme
Background
There are between 6 to 12 people on each course and time is spent in facilitated discussions, group activities, information sharing and ideas for you to try between each session.
You will find:
A warm, friendly atmosphere
Support when you need it
General small group discussions on topics such as:
Managing fatigue
Getting active
Feeling good
Goal setting
Gratitude diary
Managing stress
Communication
Header text
People who have already attended the programme tell us that they:
Feel reassured and able to recognise own potential to make positive changes
Use positive communication skills and reflective listening
Feel more confident in dealing with emotional issues – depression, anxiety, anger and frustration.
Know how to achieve long and short term plans for change by using the goal setting and problem solving steps.
Are able to use the relaxation techniques practised on the course to refresh the mind and body
Are less isolated
Feel more able to support and share with others
Who should I see?
We try to keep our GP appointments for patients with more serious health problems.
Before you ring us, please consider whether an appointment with a practice nurse might be more appropriate. They can help you with a wide range of medical problems.
Our receptionists can help you decide which is the right person for you to see.
Please remember that self-care for common conditions can help free up our GPs’ time, making it easier to get an appointment when you have a more serious condition.
A&E
A&E is for life-threatening accidents and emergencies only. Before you go there, ask yourself, “Is it a real emergency?”
If not, please consider using other local health services before you visit A&E.
NHS 111
111 is the free NHS non-emergency number. You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
Call 111 if: you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. You think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service. You don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call. You need health information or reassurance about what to do next Click here for more information about how NHS 111 can help you.
Your pharmacist can help too
Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals and can give you confidential health advice for a range of common illnesses and complaints.
Don’t wait for a GP appointment for coughs, colds, aches and pains. Just call you local pharmacy a call or drop in – there’s no need to make an appointment.
Your pharmacists can also help you decide if you need to see a doctor or nurse.
Previously known as the Depression and Anxiety Service, Talkworks are an inclusive service who work compassionately and empathetically to try and understand how you are feeling, so they can offer you a choice of therapy options and coping strategies to help you feel happier and get your life back on track.
Is the way that you are feeling affecting your daily life? Are you struggling to cope, feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed by your thoughts and feelings? Are you living with a long term health condition that is making you feel tired, frustrated and worried? You are not alone and Talkworks can help.
They are a free, confidential, NHS talking therapy service, helping you to feel better and giving you the tools and techniques to improve your mental and physical wellbeing.
Long Term Health Condition
Living with a long term health condition can be frustrating, tiring and worrying.
There are many challenges involved, especially when dealing with difficult or unpleasant symptoms, procedures or treatments. It’s understandable that this can cause people to feel down, stressed or just not their usual selves.
We know that people who have a long term health condition are more susceptible to experiencing low mood, anxiety and stress, or find it difficult to cope with their usual daily activities, which can make it even harder to manage their long term health condition well.
At TALKWORKS they have a dedicated Talking Health Team, consisting of experienced practitioners, who can work with people to help them manage the emotional difficulties that often go hand in hand with experiencing a long term health condition.
You can self-refer direct to TALKWORKS:
Call 0300 555 3344 or complete the online form on our website.
The Sexual Health Service provides free and confidential testing and treatment services for sexual infections, along with advice on a wide range of sexual health and contraceptive issues. They provide these services from their bases at Castle Circus Health Centre and Newton Abbot Community Hospital, as well as from a number of community sites throughout the area.
Walk in clinics are available at Castle Circus Health Centre every weekday morning and at their community sites.
Alternatively, to make an appointment with them you can call 01803 656500.
The lines are open:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am – 5pm
Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30am – 7:30pm
Community Nurse Practitioner
All of our Community Nurse Practitioners are qualified to treat most medical conditions without the direct supervision of a doctor. They will visit our patients from their home if requested by a GP.
Mental Health Services
Louise Arscott is our in-house Registered Mental Health Nurse and manages our well-being clinics under the guidance of the GPs.
Specialist Palliative Care Nurse
We have a Specialist Palliative Care Nurse attached to Channel View Medical Group. The Palliative Care Team is based at Rowcroft Hospice and can be contacted on (01803) 217630.
