It may seem like the last thing on your mind when going to university, but it is important to keep a well stocked medicine cabinet to treat minor illness and injuries such as colds, headaches, cuts and bruises.

Being able to self treat minor illnesses will save both yours and the doctor’s time.

Your pharmacist can advise on what you might find useful to keep in your medicine cabinet. Always follow the instructions on the medicine label and consult your doctor if the illness continues or becomes more severe.

Pharmacists offer professional free health advice at any time – you don’t need an appointment. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses. They can answer questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines.

Your local Pharmacist can also advise on healthy eating. 

Pharmacists can also advise on health eating, obesity and giving up smoking. Some pharmacists have private areas where you can talk in confidence. They may suggest you visit your GP for more serious symptoms. It is possible to purchase many medicines from the chemist without a prescription.

Watch this short video on how you can get the most out of your local pharmacy.

For urgent advice and treatment when the surgery is closed, phone the surgery on the usual number and an answer phone message will advise you of an alternative number to dial. A receptionist in the emergency call centre will answer your call.

They will:

• Either arrange for your to speak to a doctor or nurse.  
• Or invite you to attend the centre to be seen by a doctor.  
• Or arrange a home visit if you are too ill to visit the centre.

NHS 111 is a new service that’s being introduced 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 a fast and easy way to get the right help, whatever the time.

When to use it:

You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.

Call 111 if:

• You need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency.
• You think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service.
• You don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call.
• You need health information or reassurance about what to do next.

For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way.

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.

NHS Walk-In Centres and Urgent Care Centres offer convenient access to a range of NHS services. You can receive treatment for many ailments including:

• Infection and rashes,
• Fractures and lacerations,
• Emergency contraception and advice,
• Stomach upsets,
• Cuts and bruises, or
• Burns and strains.

NHS Walk In Centres treat around 3m patients a year and have proved to be a successful complementary service to traditional GP and A&E services. Some centres offer access to doctors as well as nurses. However, they are not designed for treating long-term conditions or immediately life-threatening problems.

The Urgent Care Centre is now located in the emergency department at York Hospital.

Major A&E departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses.

A&E and 999 services are for emergency and life threatening conditions only, such as:

• Loss of consciousness,
• Pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia,
• Acute confused state,
• Persistent, severe chest pain, or
• Breathing difficulties.

If you’re injured or seriously ill, you should go, or be taken, to A&E. If an ambulance is needed you can call 999, the emergency phone number in the UK. You can also dial 112, which is the equivalent for the European Union. Major A&E departments offer access 365 days a year and usually open 24 hours a day. The nearest A&E department to the campus is at York Hospital on Wigginton Road.  

One in four people who go to A&E could self care or use other local services. This puts tremendous strain on A&E doctors, nurses and paramedics. If you are feeling unwell, make sure you consider all your treatment options and select the one that is appropriate for your condition.

A campaign has been launched to store emergency contact details in your phone as ICE (In Case of Emergency). Store the word “ICE” in your mobile phone address book, against the number of the person you would want to be contacted “In Case of Emergency”.

This way, ambulance and emergency staff will be able to quickly find your next of kin and contact them. Use this wisely!