Healthier Together Website/App
With the colder weather always comes the inevitable coughs, colds, sore throats etc particularly for young children who may be recently back to school and nursery where viruses spread very easily.
Having an ill child can be a very scary experience for parents. If you understand more about the illness it can help you to feel more in control. Being aware of what is ‘normal’ and how long you might expect certain symptoms to last for can also be very reassuring.
For example, did you know that most common childhood infections do not get better any quicker with antibiotics than without them?
There are a number of common childhood illnesses that often can effectively be managed at home by parents and carers. However, understanding when it is OK to look after your child at home and when to seek additional support can be difficult.
If you are ever worried about your child being unwell then the best place to turn first is ‘Healthier Together‘.
Both the website and the app are trustworthy resources written by medical professionals which can provide instant support and reassurance for common childhood illnesses at your fingertips.
By answering some simple questions about your child’s symptoms, you will be directed to the best source of help and support for that condition. This may be a community Pharmacy, the GP practice, straight to the Emergency Department or some helpful resources to support self caring for your child at home.
If you are directed to getting help from your GP, you can even contact us through the Healthier Together site rather than having to send a separate eConsult or phoning the Practice. This service is available from 8am to 2pm each day.
Check out the website here:
The App is available to download in the App store or via Google play
There are some valuable other resources that are worth keeping to hand:
The When Should I Worry? booklet is excellent: 3 When should I worry Booklet.pdf
The Pharmacy First scheme can provide assessment and treatment for certain common conditions, particularly ear aches (1-17yrs) and sore throats (>5yrs) without the need for a GP appointment
More resources here:
Looking after a sick child – NHS