Managing Your Childs Health

This page is intended to help you decide the best way to treat your child and choose the most appropriate NHS services if they are unwell or injured.

Self care

Many common minor illnesses and injuries can be treated at home. Information is provided in this booklet and lots of helpful tips are available on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk.

GP

Your GP knows you and your family well and can treat most childhood illnesses. They can prescribe medicines you need and refer onwards to a specialist when required. You will need to make an appointment to see your GP and most GP’s offer urgent same day appointments for unwell children.

NHS 111

For help out of hours call NHS 111. NHS 111 is a new service designed to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services. You can call 111 when you need medical help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

Pharmacist

Your pharmacist can advise you on common health problems and minor illnesses such as colds, skin conditions and hayfever and could save you a trip to your GP surgery. There are often pharmacies in supermarkets and many are open late

Walk-in Centres

Walk-in Centres can treat a wide range of minor injuries and illness. There are 3 Walk-in Centres across North West Surrey, at Ashford, Weybridge and Woking. You can find your nearest Walk-in Centre by visiting NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk. If your child is under 2 years of age, please only visit the Walk-in Centre at Ashford.

Health Visitor

Your Health Visitor is a qualified nurse who has had extra training and they can help to support you and your family to stay healthy. You can talk to your Health Visitor if you feel anxious, depressed or worried about your child. They can give you advice and suggest where to find help. They can also put you in touch with groups where you can meet other mothers. Your Health Visitor can visit you at home or you can see them at your child health clinic, GP surgery or health centre, depending on where they’re based.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Accident and Emergency Departments should only be used in a critical or life?threatening situation. The Accident and Emergency Department provides emergency care for people who show the symptoms of serious illness or are badly injured. If you suspect an injury is serious go straight to the Accident and Emergency Department or dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. To find your nearest Accident and Emergency Department, go to NHS Choices at: www.nhs.uk

Useful contacts

Children’s Centres

Don’t forget there is always advice and support available from children’s centres across the region for all families with children under five. To find your nearest children’s centre visit www.surreycc.gov.uk

Change 4 Life www.nhs.uk/Change4Life

Immunisations www.immunisation.nhs.uk

National Childbirth Trust (NCT) 0300 33 00 770 www.nct.org.uk

Health and Wellbeing Surrey www.healthysurrey.org.uk

In an emergency dial 999

In a Non-emergency dial 111

GP Surgery Tel 01932 336933

On-line Information NHS Choices, your health, your choice www.nhs.uk (Mobile app also available)

Your Local NHS Commissioning Group & GP’s www.nwsurreyccg.nhs.uk