What is Self Care and Why is it Important?
Self care is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health. It is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.
Self care is beneficial to you and the NHS. It is a simple, quick an easy way to keep the mind and body healthy as there are many services accessible to you our patients without the need for medical intervention.
Where to find advice on self-care
You can find more help on a range of health problems, including the services available to you on the following websites:
- The NHS website – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Our Services – Healthy Sandwell
- http://sandwellandwestbhamccg.nhs.uk/self-care
- One You (www.nhs.uk)
You can also access a self care forum by visiting
Mental Health Help and Advice
Sandwell Healthy Minds
A service for people who are feeling stressed, anxious, low in mood or depressed.
Tel: 0303 033 9903 Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm (Excluding bank holidays)
This service is for people aged over 16 years.
Website: Home – Sandwell Healthy Minds
Find Your Local Mental Health Crisis Service Online
24/7 urgent mental health support is available to all adults and children. You can find your local NHS helpline by searching for your postcode or home town in a new service finder
Website: 24/7 crisis line
Samaritans
Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk whenever you feel like. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call Samaritans free, 24/7.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0121 116 123
Website: Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen
Caring for the Elderly
Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.
Telephone: 0800 888 6678
Website: http://dementiauk.org
Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.
Telephone: 0800 169 2081
Website: http://ageuk.org
Help with day to day caring of the elderly is available through your local council, find more information at Get help and support at home | Sandwell Council.
Coping With Minor Illness at Home
NHS symptom checker – https://usetherightservice.com/self-care/nhs-symptom-checker/
If you need urgent medical care that doesn’t require 999 services then you can use the NHS 111 telephone service or you can contact them online via NHS 111 online.
Pharmacy First Minor Ailments
The pharmacy first minor ailments service is primarily designed as a ‘walk in’ service so that patients exempt from prescription charges of all ages can access self-care advice for the treatment of minor ailments and, where appropriate, be supplied with over the counter medications without the requirement to attend a GP practice and obtain a prescription.
To access the service, the following must apply:
- Visits are limited to six times in a twelve month period.
- The patient will need to attend the pharmacy personally.
- The patient will need to bring their NHS number.
- The scheme is for current comment ailments and NOT to restock medications.
- Patients must be exempt from prescription charges and be registered with a participating Gp practice in Dudley, Sandwell & West Birmingham or Wolverhampton CCG areas.
Conditions that can be treated for under 16’s (U16), over 16’s (O16) or both include :
| Acute cough | Acute fever (U16) | Acute Pain/Earache/Headache/Temperature (O16) | Athlete’s foot |
| Bacterial conjunctivitis | Bites, stings and allergies | Cold sores | Colds and ‘flu |
| Constipation | Cystitis (O16) | Diarrhoea | Dry skin/simple eczema (U16) |
| Dermatitis/allergic rashes (U16) | Earache | Earwax | Hay fever |
| Haemorrhoids (O16) | Heartburn/indigestion (O16) | Infant decongestion | Mouth ulcers & teething |
| Nappy rash | Scabies | Sore throats (O16) | Sprains & strains ( O16) |
| Sunburn (U16) | Threadworms | Thrush (oral & vaginal) | Verrucas and warts |
Young People
Childline UK
24/7 urgent help & support.
Tel: 0800 11 11 Website : http://www.childline.org.uk
Young minds
Supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Tel: 0808 802 5544 Website : www.youngminds.org.uk/
Changing Lives
Support for young women aged 10+
Tel: 0191 273 8891 Website: http://www.changing-lives.org.uk/
24/7 Mental Health
Under 16 years of age and need mental health support? Please call the 24/7 helpline.
Tel: 0800 008 6516
Sandwell Young Carers
Aged under 18 years and caring for someone? Get support here.
Tel: 0121 525 7667 Website : Home (sandwellyc.com)
Email: [email protected]
Better Health
For some people, managing diet, physical activity and sustained weight loss can be effective in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. You don’t need expensive equipment to get active.
A daily brisk walk can boost your energy & improve your health. Visit: nhs.uk/betterhealth/get-active