Home Treatment Guide:
Caring for the Ill and Injured
Disclaimer:
The Home Treatment Guide provides suggestions for dealing with various ailments, and does not replace a consultation with a GP or nurse. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Introduction
Since the introduction of the modern pharmaceutical pharmacopoeia (list of medicines) many people have become used to taking a tablet for various ailments, for example, Paracetamol for pain. These various medicaments have their place, but as a result we have lost touch with the way our grandmothers and great grandmothers dealt with all the various ailments in their families in a more natural, harmonious way.
Many of us no longer know how to make a compress or what a footbath can be useful for. Much of this old wisdom is still valid today and can extend our medicine to include many useful remedies for minor ailments. We hope this guide can help people rediscover some of these forgotten ‘golden oldies’.
Many minor illnesses can easily be looked after at home. We hope this guide can provide some help and support in dealing with many troublesome symptoms.
Many minor illnesses are caused by a virus. There are thousands of different viruses, and there is no direct cure (viruses do not respond to antibiotics). However as you will see, there are often things one can do to ease the symptoms. Most minor illnesses get better by themselves within a few days and do not need to be seen by a doctor.
It will not make someone worse by bringing them to the surgery with a temperature – they will usually feel better in the fresh air.
It is handy to keep a stock of simple remedies in the house – but keep them out of the reach of children, preferably in a cupboard with child proof locks.
Feel free to choose and combine as fit your circumstances.
Home Visits
A home visit should be regarded as a service for the housebound or the seriously ill. If you are in any doubt as to whether you or a member of your family needs a home visit, then ring the surgery for advice.
Home visits can take up much of the doctor’s valuable time – they should only be requested if there is no alternative. Home Visits are a special feature of British General Practice. Many other countries do not offer this service.
Remember - Doctors are human too! They can become tired and stressed, especially if they are called out unnecessarily.
Out of Hours (Evenings and Weekends)
Before you call the doctor out of hours, ask yourself these questions:
· Could it wait until the surgery is open?
· Is it really an urgent problem?
· Is there something I could be doing in the meantime?
If you do contact the doctor out of hours, you may be asked to attend a Primary Care Emergency Centre. A doctor can see several people there in the time that it would normally take to do a home visit.
Treating the sick and Injured at Home
Please follow the links below to sections of the Guide. Each link opens a new window.