Household Support Fund
Are you struggling financially during the current cost of living crisis?
The Household Support Fund is money provided by the Government to local authorities to support families and individuals most in need with a one-off payment towards food and heating costs.
Examples of people who may qualify for support include individuals and families surviving on benefits or on a low income, clinically vulnerable people, and people from the gypsy and travelling communities.
How to Apply for Support via Your GP Practice
If you feel you may meet the criteria for support, and you are registered with a GP Practice in North West Leicestershire* please contact your surgery and tell them you would like a Social Prescribing Link Worker to make an application on your behalf to the Household Support Fund.
Please note that the fund runs until 30th September 2022
*GP Practices under North West Leicestershire GP Federation are Broom Leys, Castle Donnington Surgery, Castle Medical Group, Hugglescote Surgery, Ibstock and Barleston Surgeries, Long Lane Surgery, Manor House Surgery, Markfield Medical Centre, Measham Medical Unit, Whitwick Health Centre, Whitwick Road Surgery
Choose Well
Medicine Cupboard
This is a list of inexpensive but useful medicines for minor illnesses. Keep them in a cupboard that is either locked or out of reach of children or steam.
- Soluble aspirin (over 16 year olds only)
- Eucalyptus drops
- Dressing strips
- Thermometer
- Paracetamol mixture
- Calamine lotion
- Crepe bandage
- Antiseptic solution
- Cotton wool
- Vapour rub
- Sling
Remember
Keep the medicine box in a secure, locked, place out of reach of small children. Always read the instructions and use the recommended dose. Watch expiry dates - don't keep or use medicines past their sell-by date. Take all unwanted and out-of-date medicines back to the pharmacy.
Remember not to give aspirin to anyone under 16 years of age. If in doubt please check with a pharmacist.
Over the Counter Medicines
After talking to patients about over counter medicines for minor conditions and understanding their experiences, the local Clinical Commissioning Group is asking GP's to no longer prescribe medicines on prescription for the short term treatment of minor ailments, low dose vitamin D supplements for prevention of deficiency and some specialised infant formulas. Patients will be asked to purchase them over the counter instead either from their local pharmacy or shop.
Community Pharmacists are best placed to help and advise people about suitable treatment for minor conditions. They are a great source of information, advice and guidance and you can buy your medicines cheaply and easily for minor conditions. The pharmacist will ask you questions to ensure that there is no other reason as to why you cannot take the medication.
However if you are worried or your symptoms get worse or persist you can still make an appointment to see your GP. By visiting your pharmacy you will help to free up valuable GP and nurse time, which can be used to deal with more complex or serious health needs.
Click here for further information about Over The Counter Medicines
Click here to download FAQ - Your Questions Answered regarding over the counter products
For more information regarding Vitamin D deficiency please follow the links:
Vitamin D
Vitamin D in Children
Self Help
We are keen to help patients improve on self help and hope that the following information will offer some insight into that.
Take a look and see if you can improve your own understanding of your health and well-being! Please encourage others to look here too.
Here is a list of ailments that can be safely self managed. You will see that you can take a look via the hyperlink at the other websites which can offer you further information about managing your condition.
NHS Choices is the UK's biggest health website. It provides a comprehensive health information service that puts users in control of their healthcare. The website helps users make choices about their own health, from decisions about their lifestyle, such as smoking, drinking and exercise, to finding and using NHS services in England. NHS Choices includes around 20,000 regularly updated articles. There are also hundreds of thousan
ds of entries in more than 50 directories that can be used to find and choose health services in England.
Common ailments that can be self managed:
There are a wide range of available videos giving advice to parents and families on what to do when dealing with common ailments such as children’s asthma, diarrhoea, head injury, fever and babies with breathing problems. to access these videos please Click Here
Click Here to access 'your mind plan'
