We have listed a variety of useful websites which can be used to access advice, health information and direct links to self care for a range of minor illnesses.
NHS Choices 
www.nhs.uk/
The NHS website is always a great place to start when it comes to accessing useful information relating to your health and wellbeing. It has a complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to seek medical attention.
It also has a guide to medicines, so you can find out how they work and read up on any possible side effects.
Patient.co.uk
www.patient.info/
Another useful and easy to use website for health information. It includes useful tools, tests and also a symptom checker.
Self Care for minor illness
Every year millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that can be easily resolved without a doctors appointment.
It is estimated that every year 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema and athletes foot. By visiting your pharmacy, you could save yourself time and trouble.
Self Care
Keeping a well stocked medicine cabinet at home can help you treat many minor ailments. Coughs, colds, indigestion and many other minor complaints can be treated with medicines available over the counter.
Your pharmacist can advise on what you might find useful to keep in your medicine cabinet. Always follow the instructions on the medicine label and consult your doctor if the illness continues or becomes more severe.
Self Care for life - Take Control
We want you to Self care for Life. Become more health conscious and choose healthy options that will impact positively on your physical health as well as your mental wellbeing and self esteem.
Self Care for Life means eating properly, taking regular exercise and looking after your symptoms of common everyday illness. Take control and recognise when to self care and when to seek advice, and if you need advice, think about your local pharmacist or whether a visit to the surgery is necessary. And, if you have a long term condition, understand that condition and how to live well with it daily. Self Care for a good Life - Take Control!
The NHS website is a great tool to find out more about self care; www.nhs.uk/
We've also listed some of the most common minor illnesses below, click on the individual symptom to download a useful fact sheet:
Local Health Information for Devon
www.myhealth-devon.nhs.uk/
North Devon Hospice's One Day at a Time
www.northdevonhospice.org.uk/your-care/one-day-at-a-time/
Offering wellbeing opportunities and activities such as mindfulness techniques, Art Therapy and self-massage.
Devon Referral Support Service (DRSS)
DRSS manage all the GP referrals for patients who need to be seen by a hospital clinician.
www.devon-rss.nhs.uk/index.shtml
If you have a query about your referral, or you have been waiting for an appointment or operation and wish to follow this up or discuss options for being seen at another hospital of your choice please contact DRSS directly on
Practice & Patient Helpdesk Telephone 01626 883 888 or email cab.helpdesk@nhs.net
Devon sexual health website
www.devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk
Headway Devon
www.headwaydevon.org.uk
Headway Devon is a local charity dedicated to improving life after brain injury.
One-line support for young people (aged 11-18)
www.kooth.com/
Advice on toothache and getting the most appropriate treatment
NHS patient information leaflet on antibiotics and toothache
Help in finding a local dentist or an emergency dentist
www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1776.aspx?categoryid=74
Or ring 01271 324878 Mon - Friday 9am - 5pm or for an emergency dentist out of hours ring 03330 006 330
Wellbeing and health advice
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/
Helping you and your doctor make the right decisions about your care
http://www.choosingwisely.co.uk/
MacMillan Cancer Support
www.macmillan.org.uk
Family Planning Association
www.fpa.org.uk/
Leaflet to take to schools if your child needs to take medication during school time
Medication in schools leaflet
North Devon Against Domestic Abuse
www.ndada.co.uk/
Barnstaple Library, including regular events held in the library -
www.devon.gov.uk/barnstaple_library
Citizens Advice
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Relate
Who support individuals, couples and families through all stages of their relationships offering various counselling and therapies
www.relate-ed.org.uk/
Young Devon - advice and information for young people in Devon
www.youngdevon.org/
Termination of Pregnancy Services in Devon
Marie Stopes are comissioned by the Devon CCG to provide abortion services across Devon from April 2020. Patient's can self-refer to the service without the need to speak to their GP. Visit the Marie Stopes website on the link below for more information:
www.mariestopes.org.uk
Mental Health Support - Devon, Torbay & Plymouth
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis no longer needs to visit an Emergency Department for advice. Devon, Torbay and Plymouth mental health services provide a 24/7 First Response Service for anyone experiencing a crisis. The helpline offers expert mental health advice, support and signposting.
Helpline number: 0808 196 8708
Ladywell Unit (NDDH) Counselling Service
Petter Ward, NDDH offer a counselling service that provides a safe, professional, confidential and non-judgemental space for women and men to discuss their difficulties with pregnancy, pregnancy loss and related issues.
For more information and contact details, click on the flyer below
Ladywell Counselling Service Flyer
The Fern Centre, North Devon's Cancer and Wellbeing Centre
The Fern Centre is based at North Devon's District Hospital in Barnstaple. They offer support for patients with cancer, as well as their loved ones by providing a dedicated space for therapies, care and advice in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
It is run by specialist staff and trained volunteers. It is entirely funded by charitable contributions raised by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust charity, Over and Above.
For more information and to see the full list of services and support they can offer, please visit their website:
www.overandabove.org.uk/fern-centre/
