Nowadays, there are many sources available for you to obtain reliable health advice: Ask your Pharmacist: Your local Pharmacist is a reliable source for advice. He/she has the training and experience to help you, especially about the common minor ailments where you can obtain advice and treatment over the counter. Locally in Hartlepool there is a scheme running now for a few years where the pharmacist can prescribe you medication for a large group of minor illnesses such as sore throat, flu, head Lice, thrush. So you do not need to waste your time waiting to see a doctor at the surgery.
NHS Direct: is a national scheme run by qualified nurses who are trained to provide you with help and advice 24 hours a day.
Your doctor's surgery: it is not run only by doctors. We have a team of qualified Health Professionals including a Nurse Practitioner, Practice Nurses, Pharmacist and Health care assistants.
The health care assistant is particularly valuable if what you need is blood pressure check or have blood taken on doctor's advice.
The practice nurses are valuable for chronic disease monitoring, wound dressing, stitches removal, weight management advice and contraception advice.
The nurse practitioner runs minor illnesses clinic, Contraception clinic and other chronic diseases clinics. She is well qualified and she can issue you with prescriptions if necessary.
The Pharmacist can help you with medication review, synchronising your medications so you can order them at the same time, and can advise you which medication is suitable for your condition.