Have you ever had a prescription that you needed to continue taking, so you had to visit the doctor each month to renew the prescription? This method can be frustrating and time-consuming, but there’s a better way to do this with repeat prescriptions. This is just one of the clinical services offered to student health services and other patients.
Here’s all you need to know.
When you need the same medication over and over and will be taking it for a long period of time, local doctors can provide you with a repeat prescription. This is essentially permission for you to receive the medication without needing an appointment with a doctor.
Repeat prescriptions are good until a certain date or for a certain number of refills. All the information will be added to the form you need to provide the pharmacist. In general, you won’t get a repeat prescription immediately, as your doctor needs to ensure you know how to take it and will want to monitor you as you get used to the medication. This is particularly important with medications that can have strong side effects.
Your doctor will often prescribe you the first month’s worth of medications, which you will take and check in with the doctor to ensure everything is going well. They will help you monitor any side effects and adjust the dosage if necessary. This is an important step, as you may need to change the dosage for the best results.
A good example of this would be a blood pressure medication or medication for diabetes.
These can have severe side effects if taken improperly, so a doctor will prescribe a certain amount, but keep an eye on you and how you react. Once you’ve taken enough to have an effect, the doctor will see what your levels are and can continue to check your blood sugar or pressure. Once the doctor is certain you are ready to take the medication with minimal monitoring, you’ll still want to check in if you notice any changes. However, the doctor can then fill out a form that says you have permission to refill the prescription as needed until a specific date.
You will be required to see a medical professional annually if you’re on repeat medication. This gives the doctor a chance to check that the medication is still working satisfactorily and you can relay any concerns. The doctor may adjust your dosage or change things slightly if needed, such as adding a new medication or removing one that you no longer need.
Everyone changes and it’s possible that your body is going to adjust to your medications in one way or another. Whether this means you will end up needing higher amounts or you’ll simply manage your health problems better with lower amounts, it requires adjusting things.
Over time, you may become resistant to some of the medications and need new ones, or there may be a whole new treatment option on the market. This is a good chance to talk to your doctor and find out if they have a better option for you to try. Of course, if you are switching meds, you will need to be monitored once more.
Not all medications can be put on a repeat prescription. For example, the birth control pill needs to be given for several months, then you will see your doctor again. Usually, you’ll be given a six month supply and then will have to see the doctor for a refill.
Your prescription sheet will have a green side and a white side. The white side is for repeat medication, while the green is for short courses of medication, such as antibiotics. You will keep the white side and bring it in every time you need to repeat the order, or show it to the online order form.
The type of medication that is prescribed on repeat can be anything you might take regularly and on an ongoing basis. For example:
– Blood thinners
– Antidepressants
– Anxiety medications
– Blood pressure medication
– Diabetic medication
If you have specific supplies that you need a prescription for, such as syringes or other needs, these may fall under a repeat prescription, as well. Talk to your doctor and be sure to include everything you need and are worried about. They should be able to help you out.
The following tips will help you manage your NHS repeat prescriptions so you can always make sure you have the medications that you need.
● Schedule an Annual Doctor’s Appointment
NHS repeat prescriptions require seeing a doctor each year to renew it all. This is something you should plan ahead and schedule to ensure you don’t miss it. This should just be automatically scheduled and you can continue to see the doctor every year.
● Manage Your Repeat Prescriptions Online
With NHS repeat prescriptions and online clinical services, you can download the app and manage everything there. You’ll find there are plenty of benefits to going online to handle it all. For example:
● Don’t lose your prescription:
You can upload it and keep all information in the app so you will never lose your prescription and won’t need to go back to the doctor.
● Save time:
Forget waiting in line for a prescription. You can do it all on the app and that means you will save quite a lot of time. You also have the option of seeing local doctors online so you can get a repeat prescription.
● Order online:
You won’t need to go to the pharmacy if you are going to get your prescription online. This means no waiting, you just pick up the medication when it’s ready or you may even have it delivered to you, depending on the method of delivery.
Overall, it is quite beneficial to have clinical services like this available to you on an app.
● Use a Reminder App
Do you have a tendency to forget your medication? It’s a good idea to use an app on your phone or even just the alarm to remind yourself when to take the medication. If you are on something that needs to be taken at the same time every day, this can be quite helpful.
You can also use the reminder app to let you know when you’re getting low on medication.
● Organise Your Pills
Do you take more than one pill? It can be easy to forget which one you took and when. If you frequently wonder if you’ve actually taken your medication for the day, try putting your pills into a medication organiser. This will show you at a glance what you’ve taken already for the day. It saves you the possibility of double dosing or accidentally skipping a dose.
● Create a Dosing Schedule Chart
It may also be helpful to create a simple chart where you can mark down which pills you’ve taken so far that day. The chart is particularly useful, because you can also take notes. This will let you note if a medication is causing any side effects, so you can talk to your doctor about it. You may also take down any information that relates to your condition so the doctor can discuss it with you at your next appointment.
● Create a Master List of Medications
If you have multiple medications to take, it is useful to track them. Make a list of all the medications so you can discuss them with the pharmacist or the doctor in order to ensure you have no overlaps. It’s always a good idea to have a full list of what you take so you can present it when needed.
● Remember to Order Your Prescription a Week Ahead
You don’t want to run out of medication ever, particularly if it’s for a life-threatening issue. Dropping your blood pressure medication, for example, could be deadly. To avoid having a moment where you forget to renew your prescription only to realise later that you have run out, be sure to remind yourself to order the prescription a week or so ahead of time. Every time it gets close to the end of the month, put in your repeat prescription and ensure you have enough medication on hand for the coming month.
Do you need to set up a repeat prescription? Are you interested in getting your NHS repeat prescription online? You can register to do just that on the NHS GP site.
These days, you have more options than ever for a medical consultation. You can have an in-person GP consultation or you can look for an online doctor consultation and clinical services. There are pros and cons to each, so it really depends on the situation as to whether one option is better than another.
More and more people are using online services now. We’ve become accustomed to working and living online, with the help of apps that make it possible to accomplish a lot. You don’t even need to step outside your home to do many things that we once assumed were outdoor activities. Now you can even carry on with a GP consultation from the comfort of your own home.
Walk-in clinics give you the option of seeing a doctor face to face, but there are good and bad things about this. If you are suffering from something not easily dealt with online, then this is a good alternative, but let’s look at the pros and cons.
Pros
The positives of seeing a doctor in person include:
Cons
Of course, there is the opposite side of the coin, too. Here are some of the cons of going to see a doctor in person.
As you can see, there are good points and bad points to consider when deciding how you will talk to the doctor.
Seeing a doctor in person is not always the best option. There are definitely some good reasons to stay home, so let’s consider the pros and cons of online consultation.
Pros
The highlights of seeing a doctor online include:
Cons
Of course, there are some downsides to this method of getting clinical services. For example:
It really depends on your situation as to what is best for you. Look at the pros and cons for each and make your decision based on that. However, there are certainly some situations when you need to see the doctor in person and should either go to the walk-in clinic or to urgent care.
You need to see a doctor in person if you have:
– A possible broken bone
– A head injury
– An infection in your ear or throat
– Issues with your eyes
– A high temperature
– Stomach pain
– A burn or scald
– A skin infection
– A sprained joint
– Vomiting and diarrhoea
In each of these cases, it’s best to seek the care of a doctor, as they will need to check you over and take a closer look. These situations are not meant to be handled online and will benefit from the testing abilities of a clinic.
Most of the time, it will be quite obvious what requires external help from a person with medical experience. Bleeding, breaks, and other similar types of injuries will obviously need a doctor and cannot be seen online. However, if you’re not feeling well, or if your baby is having trouble with congestion, it’s simpler to talk to an online doctor.
You’ll first make your appointment online and should test your audio and video on the computer before the appointment. Usually, you’ll be able to see a doctor fairly quickly.
To prepare for the appointment, check your email. It will have instructions and you’ll need to fill out a form to let the doctor know what your problem is and what your symptoms are. You should write out a list of your symptoms and the frequency to have on hand while talking to the doctor.
You may be asked to weigh yourself or to take photos of the affected areas of your body to send to the doctor. Since they cannot see you or do exams, you’ll be required to provide the necessary information. This can be a little more difficult than visiting the doctor face to face, but it is usually easy enough to accomplish.
Most telehealth meetings don’t last a long time and will be to the point. The doctor will discuss your health issues with you and will either diagnose you or send you for more tests. In most cases, with simple issues, the doctor is able to determine what is wrong and give you a prescription or provide you with some advice on how to manage the illness or injury.
At the end of the call, you can ask any questions you may have and then sign off. There are so many benefits to being able to talk to a doctor remotely. For most people, it’s the preferred method of seeing a doctor these days.
With NHS appointment booking, you can easily set up your next online doctor consultation and have your appointment in the comfort of your own home. There are plenty of choices for you, but online is a good way to start. Book your appointment today.
Telehealth appointments have made it much simpler to see a doctor, but if you’re not used to talking on video, you may find the process awkward. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to prepare ahead of time. Before your appointment, you should do the following:
The first thing you should do before your visit is make note of what you will need to share. Make a list of symptoms you have and any questions you may want to ask. It’s helpful to keep track of things like how long you’ve had the symptoms and what intensity they are.
Have your medications on hand so you can tell the doctor what you are currently taking. It’s helpful to have everything in front of you so you can easily read off the labels, rather than relying on memory.
It’s a good idea to take down your weight if you have a scale in the house. This is something the doctor would usually check at the office and you can provide the necessary information if they need it. You may not be asked, but it’s helpful to have the weight should you be asked.
If you have a fever or are experiencing any symptoms where you feel ill, you should check your temperature just before the appointment. It’s a good idea to keep the thermometer near you so you can retake the temperature if requested.
You will likely receive an email that has instructions on how to get on the video call. It may include a form to fill out or this may be on the website. Either way, you’ll need to follow all the directions to ensure the visit is a success.
Choose a space where you won’t be distracted and where there is little or no background noise. It can be difficult to hear the doctor if there is too much noise around you and vice versa. Keep it quiet and calm to ensure you are able to understand everything.
You should be sure your camera is working and that you have good lighting wherever you plan to take the call. Most telehealth calls use video, so you will need to have a camera on the device you plan to use. It should be functional, and you will want to test your audio, too.
A video doctor’s appointment is rather simple and usually will go smoothly. Prepare ahead of time and you’ll find that it’s much easier.
Are you ready to talk to a doctor about your health issues? Contact NHS GP to schedule your appointment today.
Teething is a natural process, but it can be a difficult time for parents and their baby. Unfortunately, getting a new tooth can make a baby cranky and unhappy, but it can also cause physical symptoms.
When Does Teething Start?
Most babies get their first tooth between 6-10 months, but some will get them earlier or later. The two front teeth on the bottom usually are the first to appear, then the top front teeth will appear, four of them. You can expect new teeth to show up every month or two once the first ones come through.
Molars are the last teeth to grow in and they tend to start popping up when your baby is around a year old. These can be particularly painful.
Symptoms of Teething
One of the first things parents usually notice is that their little one is fussing quite a lot. They will also tend to drool more than usual and may appear to have swollen or painful gums. In an attempt to reduce the pain, the baby will often chew on things, especially harder items that may provide some counter pressure that can help.
It’s not uncommon for a teething baby to develop a low fever. They may not want to eat much and can become quite difficult to get to sleep.
Teething Relief
Your baby may be quite unhappy while teething, but there are a few things you can do to help reduce the discomfort.
Pressure on the gums can bring relief. You can press or rub your baby’s gums and give them something to chew on, such as a teething ring. A washcloth that has been dampened and then frozen is also helpful for lowering the amount of discomfort the baby feels.
In cases where your baby is particularly unhappy and seems to be in a lot of pain, you may want to give some over the counter pain relief. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor first. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen is the usual remedy.
Keep in mind that teething should not cause illness. If your baby has diarrhoea or vomiting along with the other symptoms, you should seek medical advice. This is also true if their fever goes over 37.9°C or doesn’t reduce with pain medication.
You can talk to a doctor online if you wish to avoid taking your baby to a clinic or the hospital. Make your appointment today with NHS.
Rashes may show up at any point in your life and for a wide variety of reasons. If you notice that you have a rash popping up, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor about it. Most rashes are not dangerous and don’t mean you’re very ill, but some definitely require medical attention.
You should talk to a dermatologist immediately if:
Harmless rashes tend to remain on one area of the body, such as the leg or the arm. If your rash has spread all over the body, you could be suffering from an allergic reaction or something more serious.
A fever along with your rash can mean something is very wrong. In some cases, a fever joins the rash because of an infection, such as with measles or scarlet fever. It may be relatively harmless, such as shingles, but you need to get checked out as soon as possible.
Painful rashes need to be checked by a doctor, as they could be a sign of infection or something else. Shingles, for example, are quite painful, but you will need a doctor to tell you exactly what is going on.
If your rash has become infected, you need to talk to a doctor immediately. Infections may occur when you scratch an itchy rash. Watch for signs of infection, such as heat in the rash area, crusty discharge, yellow or green pus emerging from the rash, or swelling and redness beyond what the rash previously showed. If there is a red streak coming from the rash, you need to go to A&E immediately.
Any rash that has started to blister should be checked by a doctor. Blisters tend to pop and this can lead to an open sore and cause an infection. It’s particularly important to talk to a doctor if you have a blistering rash in the mouth, on your genitals, or near your eyes.
Fast spreading rashes are often the result of an allergic reaction and the rash may not be the only symptom. You may need to call an ambulance, as this could result in difficulty breathing and even death if left untreated. Sudden rashes are rarely a good sign and while you may be able to recover without medical help, it’s best to be near a hospital if you find yourself struggling to breathe.
Not sure if your rash is something to worry about? Err on the side of caution and speak to a dermatologist. With NHS GP, you can see a dermatologist online and they will assess the rash and give you further instructions.
COVID-19 has taken over everyone’s minds these days, but that doesn’t mean other diseases and viruses don’t exist. The flu, while diminished in the face of all the precautions people take for COVID-19, is still alive and well. Here’s how to keep your family safe this flu season.
It’s important to get your vaccinations in. Just because COVID-19 vaccinations have stolen the show doesn’t mean you should ignore the flu shot. Anyone over the age of six months can receive it and it’s particularly important if you have a pre-existing medical condition.
If everyone covered their mouth or coughed and sneezed into their elbow, the spread of many diseases would be drastically reduced. This is simply good manners and while coughing into your elbow won’t prevent you from catching the flu, it will prevent you from spreading anything to other people. Set a good example and others will follow suit.
Everyone is aware by now that handwashing is an essential part of preventing illness. If you want to stay healthy, avoid touching your face and wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Be sure to wash very thoroughly. You should aim for 20 seconds of scrubbing and then rinse well before drying.
Hand sanitizer should be a staple in your pocket, as well. If you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, use the hand sanitizer as often as possible.
For the purposes of the virus, you can assume that any surface that is touched by hands is dirty. This includes everything from door handles and stair rails to light switches and tables. Since you will need to touch these at some point, you should use a tissue or your sleeve to do so and then discard or wash it as soon as possible.
Eating well and taking your vitamins can help keep your immune system in good condition. When you provide your body with the food it needs to stay healthy and to keep your immune system functional, it can fight off disease easier.
Your diet isn’t the only way to stay healthy, though. You also need to keep stress to a minimum, get enough sleep, and stay hydrated. All these factors help you prevent the flu.
If you suspect you may be ill, you should talk to a doctor. Fortunately, you don’t even need to leave your home to see a doctor. The NHS site allows you to speak to a medical expert online, without leaving the comfort of your own home. Book your appointment today.
Did you know that prolonged periods of stress can lower your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and other viruses? As any university student will know, studying can be extremely stressful. These days, going to lectures can raise your blood pressure just from all the factors that go into a single class, and that’s not even taking into account your homework.
Here are a few ways to help yourself stay calm and healthy while you continue to study.
As a uni-student, you probably live on caffeine, but stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, and others can cause you to feel even more stressed. They stimulate the body to react as if it is in a dangerous situation, raising your heart rate and making you feel jittery. This can end up causing you to feel even more anxious.
Eating properly is part of staying healthy. If you are getting proper nutrition, your immune system will withstand more stress and your body will stay much healthier. Make sure to eat regular meals that are well-rounded, with plenty of protein and fibre.
The majority of people are chronically dehydrated simply because they don’t drink enough water. Since your brain requires a lot of water, it makes sense that you’ll be more stressed out if you haven’t been drinking enough liquids. Take the time to get your water in and you’ll feel more energetic, as well as less stressed. Drinking a glass of ice water can actually help lower your stress levels, as well.
In your spare time, try to find something that relaxes you. This could be anything from playing video games or reading to cooking or doing yoga. Everyone has their thing that calms them down and reduces their stress levels. Find yours and make sure you turn to it when you feel like things are getting out of control.
Having a set schedule can feel more manageable since you know exactly what is coming up. Make a note of tests and set reminders for yourself for your phone or computer. It’s easier to manage your anxiety if you know what to expect and prepare for in the near future. Many people use calendars and schedules to reduce their stress levels and to stay on top of projects and assignments.
If you feel ill or are worried that your health is failing, make an appointment to see a doctor as soon as possible. This is easiest to do online and doesn’t require you to go anywhere. You can attend the appointment from the comfort of your own home, without exposing yourself to more germs in a waiting room.
Need to make a virtual GP appointment? Go ahead and sign onto the NHS GP site to book your appointment.
While telemedicine existed before the pandemic, the past two years have made it commonplace to see your doctor on a computer screen. A GP online consultation is a good way to see your doctor and get answers about your health without the risks of going to a clinic.
There are quite a lot of benefits to having an online appointment with your doctor. In many cases, you can do the checks yourself, using a thermometer and checking your own pulse rate. If you do need more advanced medical care, the doctor will direct you to either visit the hospital or to come into the medical clinic. However, you can receive prescriptions and exam orders from an online consultation, so in many cases, it’s not necessary to see the doctor in person.
Some of these benefits are more obvious than others, but overall, the ability to talk to your doctor online has created a better opportunity for many people to get medical care.
Other benefits include:
See a Doctor Sooner
With no waiting room, it’s easier for the GP to keep appointments short and to the point. When you go into the office, you expect a certain amount of time spent with the doctor. After all, you’ve invested time and energy to travel there and more time while you waited in the waiting room. With the ability to simply call your doctor over a video call, it becomes possible to have short appointments that are just as thorough.
There is also no delay while you wait for your doctor or nurse to prepare the exam room. Instead, the doctor is free to move on to the next appointment, which means you will often get to see local doctors much faster than if you were to go to their office.
Stay in the Comfort of Your Own Home
Many people prefer to stay home, particularly at the moment. It’s safer and you don’t have to get dressed up to leave the house. For anyone who dislikes going out, a doctor’s appointment at home is the perfect alternative to going to the clinic.
Talk to Your Doctor While Travelling
Another huge benefit of talking to local doctors online is that you can be travelling and still enjoy clinical services via video chat. If you suddenly fall ill while visiting your family, the doctor can be seen online from anywhere. This also means you can continue to monitor existing health conditions while you travel, as long as you don’t need any physical clinical services.
Talk to Your Doctor While Travelling
Trying to get a physical GP appointment can take a long time. There may not be any openings when you are available, or you’ll find that there are no appointments for the next few weeks. Online GP consultations tend to be much more efficient. In most cases, you can book an appointment for the same day and still find a doctor who is able to see you. The ease and convenience make this method of medical consultation very popular.
Have a GP Consultation from Work
There’s no need to take a day off work just to see a doctor. If you have a health issue that is non-contagious or if you are simply seeing the doctor to monitor an ongoing health problem, you can do this anywhere. Rather than take an entire day away from work, you can schedule a break to see the doctor from your office. It’s a far more efficient method of seeking medical health.
Get Refill Prescriptions Without Going to a Clinic
If you take medication that you need to see a doctor for on an ongoing basis, it can be frustrating to go into an appointment just for a prescription. However, with online medicine, you can speak with the doctor and get your prescription without leaving your home. You can even have your appointment while you sit in your vehicle outside the pharmacy.
Avoid Crowded Waiting Rooms
Anyone can tell you that a doctor’s waiting room is a petri dish of germs and viruses. If the past two years have taught you anything, it’s that you should avoid enclosed spaces with people who are ill. The waiting room is a good place to pick up more health problems, so if you can possibly avoid it, you should.
When you have a GP consultation in your living room, there’s no issue with germs or being in contact with other people. It’s all safe and comfortable.
Anyone who is from the UK can use the NHS GP online consultation service. However, it’s not appropriate for emergencies or any medical situation where you will definitely need face-to-face aid. For example, if you have broken your arm, you will need to see a doctor in person to cast it. If you are bleeding or injured, it’s important that you go straight to the hospital. The online options are not for emergencies and it’s better to get straight to the hospital where they can begin to help you immediately.
Common reasons to use an online GP appointment include:
You feel ill. If you’re experiencing stomach pain, sore throat, diarrhoea, constipation, or vomiting, etc. you may want to speak with a doctor about how to treat it. The doctor will also assess you for dehydration and will let you know when it is necessary to have exams done or when to go to the hospital.
You need a refill on a prescription. Most prescriptions require the doctor to see you before giving you another script. Online is a completely acceptable way to fulfil this requirement.
You have a rash or other skin condition. You can talk to a dermatologist when you’re registered with the NHS and this can help you determine what the issue is. The dermatologist may prescribe medication to help or can give you tips on the best way to heal your skin.
You need a sick note. You may need to have a note from a doctor in order to stay home while you are ill, skipping work or school. This is easily done online.
There are many other reasons you may wish to have an online video consultation with a doctor, but rest assured it’s all acceptable. The doctors are there to help you and will give you the best possible attention. It may not be exactly the same as going to the office, but you skip the traffic and get a faster response, so it’s a win-win situation.
Before your appointment, you should make a list of your symptoms and keep track of any medications you’re taking. This will be necessary in order to relay the information to the doctor. Once you have registered online, you can make your appointment. Your doctor will talk to you via a video chat and assess your condition, based on your own information. For example, you may need to take your temperature or check your pulse, while the doctor supervises.
With the basics out of the way, the doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and the severity of your condition. They can assess you through the video and how you speak, to determine if you should be referred to a specialist or to a hospital. You may be asked to send photos of any rashes or marks on your body, as well, to aid in diagnosis.
The doctor will determine what the issue is and let you know the appropriate treatment. If this includes medication, the doctor will write a prescription for you and you can then either order it from your local drugstore or go and pick it up. The entire process is easy and stress-free, but you’ll have some answers after the call is over. If the health issue persists, you can simply schedule another appointment. Be sure to track what you have done so the doctor can discuss alternatives if you know what doesn’t work.
Overall, telehealth is a remarkable advancement in healthcare options. It allows more people to reach doctors than ever before and even helps those who would never leave their homes to see a doctor. The ease of making an appointment allows you to consult with a doctor at the last minute, so you don’t need to deal with the symptoms longer than necessary just because you can’t get an appointment.
If you haven’t signed up for NHS services yet, you should certainly do so. It could change the way you manage your own health, as well as that of your family. Download the app and make your first appointment today.
It’s not always possible to get to the doctor. There are countless reasons you may not be able to make that appointment and visit a GP, but it’s still important to look after your health. What is the alternative to setting up a GP consultation?
The simplest option is to go with a GP video consultation. Telemedicine has become quite common over the past couple of years and unless you have an emergency, it’s likely your doctor can let you know how to treat your condition.
Whether you’re going in to see a doctor in person or plan to have an online GP visit, you can make your appointment online. This saves time and lets you see exactly what schedule times are available. If you don’t like speaking on the phone, which many people don’t, then you’ll appreciate the ability to use the NHS app to make your appointment.
Video consultations are the easiest way to see your doctor without actually going to see them. In a GP video consultation, you’ll speak with your doctor about your concerns over a video conference call. You may need to show some closer images of rashes, marks, etc. or take your own temperature to give information to the doctor. However, by the end of the call, the doctor will let you know if you can treat the issue at home or if you need to go to the hospital or come into the medical clinic.
If you need to take some sort of medicine, this is also covered by the video call. Your doctor can give you a prescription so that you are able to fill it at your earliest convenience.
Download the NHS app to make it much simpler to refill your prescription. No one really likes to visit the doctor’s physical clinic just to get a refill and this method is so much simpler. You can usually just set the whole thing up and fill out a form, but if you do need to actually speak to a doctor, that’s quite simple with this method. All you need to do is schedule a GP video consultation and explain your needs to the doctor. However, when it’s something like birth control pills that you need more of, it’s even simpler to refill the prescription.
All too often, there is paperwork involved with being sick. If you need a doctor’s note or a form filled out for work or school, it’s easiest to manage it all online. There are plenty of reasons you may need paperwork from your doctor, so if you can manage it without going into the clinic, this can speed the entire process up.
In some cases, you can even do all the paperwork yourself, if a doctor isn’t strictly necessary. For example, you may be able to print out a sick note for yourself or print up a mask exemption card if you qualify.
Is your child ill? There’s nothing worse than a sick child unless it’s trying to get that sick child into a car or onto public transport to go see a doctor. Fortunately, you have the option of a GP video consultation where a doctor can see your child for a range of possible ailments and get you a prescription if necessary.
It’s far easier to have your child seen at home, where they are comfortable than to take them to a clinic while they feel unwell.
Telemedicine is something of a miracle for parents of small children and the GP may be able to do everything over the video with a little help from you to get temperatures and photos of rashes or skin issues that may be associated with the health problem.
Once a child is signed up under the NHS, they can be seen for well-child check-ups, so be sure to check with the practice about this.
In order to register for NHS online services, you don’t need much time or any paperwork. You can sign up online and fill in a basic form that will permit NHS England to transfer your medical records to the practice you’ll be using. The local doctors in that practice will have access to your medical history.
There are a number of free services available from the NHS, including mental health support, dermatologist access, and sexual health support. While online doctor’s visits are useful, they’re not the only benefits that the NHS offers. You can also find a range of services available to help you stay healthy.
For example, if you need a COVID 19 test, you can find relevant information on the site. You can also self-refer to various specialities, including:
Registering on the NHS GP site immediately gives you access to far more services than you can imagine. This is a wonderful way to get the help you need, medically and otherwise.
Online medicine may seem a little odd at first, but it’s a wonderful way to include the entire population in the medical industry. There are many shut-ins who never go out to the doctor for one reason or another. Some are physically unable to leave their home, while others are mentally unable. Whatever the reason, anyone can now talk to a doctor online and get answers.
Some of the more common issues that you may wish to see a doctor for online include:
As you can see, nearly any issue that you would usually go to the doctor for can be seen by a GP online. There’s very little difference and over the past couple of years, doctors have perfected their long-distance delivery skills. They can provide excellent care from a distance and if they are unable to help you, you’ll simply be referred to a physical clinic or the hospital.
Are you ready to receive all the benefits of the NHS online services? Go ahead and sign up here to gain access to everything today.
Going off to University is a very exciting time in a young person’s life. You’ll be going to live in a brand new city, make new friends and enjoy all of the benefits that the University lifestyle has to offer. But it’s important not to forget about your health while at University. It’s so easy in the busy time before moving to let vital healthcare tasks slip through the gaps, but you need to ensure you’re ready.
So read on to find out how to take care of yourself at University.
One of the first things you should do when starting university is register with a GP service. The odds are as a student you’ll be in a brand new city and be spending more time there than at your family’s home address, so you should be registering with a nearby GP instead of keeping your home one. This way you can access health services quickly and easily while away from home and receive emergency care if you require it. You should also try to register with a dentist as well in case of any teeth related issues.
Most Universities have a health centre attached which you can register at, this is especially useful if you’re a first-year living on campus, making it very convenient to access. A university health centre is great to use as they usually have links with other specialists such as counsellors, physiotherapists and psychiatrists that you can easily access without having to be referred to a different clinic. If you’re living off-campus, it might be best to research a GP service closer to your address and register there instead. Your local GP is always best if it is the one closest to you.
Registering with a GP is especially important if you have ongoing health conditions that require medication, such as diabetes or asthma. Having your GP close means you can get easy access to the medicine that you require to help with your condition. If you go home for holidays and the summer, it is easy to contact a nearby practice to ask for emergency treatment or register as a temporary resident for a few weeks while you’re home.
If you’re a student moving to the North West London area, register with NHS GP to get access to online student health services with NHS Online. We understand it is essential to get the right health advice while living independently for the first time, so offer a range of services to help with the changes in lifestyle, mental and physical health. This includes:
University life is usually regarded as a big lifestyle change, so you may find yourself wondering how exactly to take care of yourself. Talking to an expert through NHS GP will help you to stay healthy. This can be advice on healthy eating, how much sleep you need and other general health advice that may seem minor but can have a big effect on your health.
One great recommendation is the NHS Weight Loss App. This app will help you make small, simple changes to your diet to help you lose weight. You can plan meals, set goals, calculate your BMI and learn tips to get more active. A common misconception is that eating healthy at university is unachievable because of the cost, but eating healthier is often cheaper than ordering takeaways or buying ready meals. By maintaining a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water, you will find yourself with more energy, reduced anxiety and the ability to go about your day more easily.
If you have been drinking, smoking or doing drugs regularly at university and think you may have a problem, NHS GP can help with support for these issues by offering appointments with doctors, support groups or other services.
Moving away from home and starting a degree can be very overwhelming mentally for a young person, so NHS GP offers mental health services such as counselling and other support. This is ideal for those who feel down about moving away from home, are having trouble adjusting, are having academic burnout or think they are suffering from more serious mental health issues. You can also access incognito, 24/7 support if you just want to talk anonymously to someone.
If you don’t want to talk to a professional, even just talking with a friend and keeping in touch with family can help you to feel better. It’s vital to have a good state of mental health at university as without it you will find it harder to focus on work or have a fun experience. Exercising regularly and eating healthier is a great way to improve one’s mental health.
If you are worried about your sexual health and think you may need a check, or just need advice about sexual health or contraception, you can get this advice for free through NHS GP. You can come into a practice or talk online to an expert who will be able to answer any questions and address any concerns. This can include dealing with issues such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, vaginismus, reduced sex drive or any other questions you may have about sexual health.
If you think you may have an STI, read this page for potential symptoms that may need checking. If you need access to contraception, all general practises or family planning clinics provide free condoms and contraception to anyone, regardless of whether they are a patient registered there. It’s always best to have contraception, even if you don’t plan to be sexually active.
If you have frequent appointments with a GP, our online platform is great for handling your appointments, making sure you know when exactly you need to come into a practice or be ready for an online consultation. You can also handle your prescriptions efficiently, knowing when you’re going to run out and easily ordering more.
You can use NHS GP to find out more about what vaccinations you may need before you begin university, read on for more information about this.
Before you head off to university, it is best to get vaccinations against certain diseases. This is due to being surrounded by new people from all over the country, who may be carrying different strains of diseases and antibodies. This means there is more chance of you getting ill or passing on diseases to others. Here are a few vaccines you should make sure you get:
For international students, you will need to be up to date with all immunisations as recommended by the Department of Health so check with your GP to see what you need.
Register now with NHS GP to gain access to a range of services, both online and in person. We know that students live a busy schedule, so you can access online student health options without having to pop into a clinic to see us. This can include live online consultations with practitioners and access to a wealth of advice.
To find out more about the services we can offer, whether it’s online clinical services, prescriptions or appointments, visit our website now to find out more and find the contact details for all four of our North West London branches.
