People across the North West are being urged to support and help raise awareness of the importance of self care as we begin a full week dedicated to looking after your mind and body.

Self Care Week is a national event that happens every year in November.  This year the theme focusses on improving physical and mental wellbeing and runs from 13-19 November.

Karen O’Brien, NHS England’s North West Regional Chief Pharmacist said:

“This year’s theme is ‘Mind and Body’ and it’s the perfect time to think about how we live our lives and how we can make some small changes that will improve our health and wellbeing, and our family’s too.”

Staying active, keeping check of regular medication and knowing how to treat common illnesses yourself can help to prevent health and wellbeing issues getting to the point of needing medical assistance, which hugely helps the NHS when it is under pressure during the winter months.

Knowing what to do and where to go for help is an important part of practising self care for life.  It isn’t just the GP practice that can help, pharmacies are also health experts, and they are on every high street.  Pharmacists can help with all sorts of ailments, and they will also signpost you to the right place for additional health advice or treatment if you need it.

Karen added: 

“If you want advice on how you can self care, your local pharmacist has a range of knowledge and skills to help with common ailments and offer the best clinical advice. 

“They can offer advice on a whole host of symptoms from coughs and colds, skin rashes, tummy upsets and even temporary solutions for dental pain.  And if parents have any questions about common childhood ailments, high-street pharmacies can be accessed as a good source of expert advice.”

When a child is unwell it can be worrying, and you may need advice on what to do if you can’t get to a pharmacy.  The Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Symptom Checker can provide information when you need it.     

Dr Matt Rotheram, an expert in children’s conditions and Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital:

“Parents can use our online Symptom Checker tool to find information on several of the most common symptoms in children requiring urgent care or advice.  The tool helps parents understand where is best to get the right care for their child’s needs and can get them to the right help or advice, faster.

“The Symptom Checker tool is fast, easy to use and reliable, and offers advice you can trust.”

People with long-term health conditions are at greater risk of becoming unwell at this time of year as the colder weather makes conditions worse. One way to take good care of yourself is to ensure you don’t run out of your regular medication. You can order repeat prescriptions through the NHS App, online service or your GP practice.

ENDS

• The symptom checker can be found on the Alder Hey website
• For tips to live well the NHS website can help: nhs.uk or For health advice check www.111.nhs.uk

For more information, please contact the NHS North West media team – england.nwmedia@nhs.net