Overview

Self-care is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries. A range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest.

They include:

• coughs and colds
• diarrhoea
• headache
• grazes
• hangover
• minor illnesses
• upset stomach

Make sure that you have:

• paracetamol
• cough and cold remedies
• a thermometer
• antihistamines
• ibuprofen
• rehydration mixture
• anti-diarrhoea medicine
• indigestion remedy
• plasters

You can find information on these and other common conditions on the NHS website.

If you are a Lambeth resident, you can get more information on the South East London Integrated Care System website.

If you are a Southwark resident, you can find more information on the South East London Integrated Care System website.

Pharmacists can give you expert advice on medicines and how they work. They can also help you to decide if you need to see a doctor. You don't need an appointment. Every pharmacy also has a private area for you to talk about your symptoms.

Local pharmacies in Lambeth and Southwark offer advice and medicines for a range of conditions, without appointment. Free emergency contraception is also available at some local pharmacies.

Find your nearest pharmacy.

Common complaints which can be treated at home with advice from the pharmacist include:

• skin conditions, such as mild acne and mild eczema
• coughs and colds, including nasal congestion and sore throats
• minor cuts and bruises
• constipation and haemorrhoids (piles)
• hay fever and allergies
• aches and pains, such as headaches, earaches and backaches
• indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
• period pain and thrush
• warts and verrucas
• mouth ulcer and cold sores
• athlete's foot
• nappy rash and teething

NHS 111 offers medical help and advice from fully trained advisers.

They're supported by experienced nurses and paramedics.

You should use the NHS 111 service if you:

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

For less urgent health needs, you should still contact your GP (family doctor) in the usual way.

Visit 111 online for help. If you need to call, you can. Calls to 111 are free from landlines and mobile phones and the service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Across south east London, NHS 111 can issue prescriptions to a pharmacy of your choice.

Your GP provides a range of services by appointment. They'll be able to assess your immediate needs as well as refer you to a specialist service if necessary. Your GP also knows your medical history so is best placed to manage you.

Many surgeries are open longer hours now. If your surgery is closed, call 111. A call to 111 will direct you to the out of hours doctors and care services.

You should see your GP if you have:

• back ache
• ear pain
• high temperature
• being sick

GP extended hours

Enhanced access service for people living in south Southwark

GP access hubs in Lambeth

More information on GP extended hours.

Attend our urgent care centre if you have an urgent, severe problem that is not life threatening.

Emergency departments are only for critical or life-threatening problems.

It's an emergency needing urgent hospital care if there’s:

• loss of consciousness
• serious blood loss
• choking, severe chest pain or breathing difficulty
• serious burns
• strokes and persistent fits