Self-care
There are lots of things you can do at home to help manage your symptoms for minor ailments, like colds and coughs.
By treating yourself at home, you could save a trip to the surgery and make sure patients with serious health problems are seen by your GP first.
If you are unsure what is wrong, you can use the NHS symptom checker, to get advice about your symptoms, causes, treatments and find out what to do next.
It can help with :
- coughs and sore throats
- stomach aches, diarrhoea and vomiting
- headaches
- minor injuries, cuts and grazes
- eye problems
- back and joint pain
The symptom checker will tell you:
- how to treat your symptoms at home
- when to contact a pharmacist
- when to contact a GP
Contact your local pharmacist
Your local pharmacist can give expert advice and treatment for many minor illnesses.
You'll be able to ask them about your health concerns and when to visit your GP.
Pharmacists can offer prescription medicine for:
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (gaed 1 year and over)
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- sore throats (aged 5 and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
For more information see: Community Pharmacy Consultation Service
You do not need an appointment to see a pharmacist.
Other conditions
You can find out about other heath conditions, how you can self-care, when to get medical help and other help and support from the NHS.
Help for your child
Parents, carers and healthcare professional can access expert advice about common childhood illnesses (including diarrhoea and vomiting, high temperature, chestiness, newborn problems and stomach pain) and how to treat them via a mobile app, called HANDi App.
Developed and approved by paediatric consultants at the Royal United Hospitals, Bath, it is free to download.
Self-referral
There are many services, treatments and appointments you can self-refer to for fast direct access without the need to for a practice appointment first. From sore throats or physiotherapy to eye treatments, midwifery to contraception, health and wellbeing services.
Please check if you can self-refer before seeking an appointment at the practice.
When to contact the surgery
Contact Combe Down Surgery if:
- your symptoms are not improving after self-care
- your symptoms are getting worse
- you are worried about your health
- you have been advised to speak to your GP
You can contact the surgery via our online form, telephone or via reception.
When to get urgent help
NHS 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now.
You get help from NHS 111:
- by using 111 online
- in the NHS App
- by calling 111
111 can direct you to the best place to get help if you cannot contact your GP, for example when your GP is closed.
Call 999 in a life-threatening emergency.