How to use the National Health Service

You will need to register with a family doctor (also known as a General Practitioner or GP) as soon as possible. You can see someone at your GP´s surgery about all health matters except dental problems (must see a dentist for these). Your GP can also arrange for you to see specialists at the hospital if this is appropriate. You will not be able to see a specialist without seeing a GP first. If your GP gives you a prescription for medication you will have to pay for the medication.

When the surgery is closed after normal surgery hours (from 6pm to 8am Monday to Friday, all day Saturday and Sundays and Public Holidays) telephone the GP out of hours service on 0845 056 8060. This service is only for urgent medical problems that cannot wait until normal surgery hours to be treated.

If you require any advice about your health or advice about where to go then you could telephone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit their website at www.nhsdirect.co.uk. This service is staffed by nurses and professional advisers, providing confidential information on what to do if your or a family member feels ill, about particular health conditions or where to find local health services or self help and support organisations.

If you or someone in your family is seriously ill and needs emergency treatment you should either attend the A & E department at the local hospital (casualty department) or telephone 999 and ask for and emergency ambulance. If you are unsure whether it is an emergency or not you can telephone NHS Direct first for advice.

First Aiders are available across the campus for advice on minor injuries.

Medicine Cabinet

Minor illness is common and symptoms often begin when pharmacies are closed. Here are some suggestions of some medicines that are useful to keep in the home for occasional use. All are available without a prescription and many can be found in your local supermarket, however, some items are only available in your local pharmacy where they can be bought over the counter. It is essential that you follow the dosage instructions very carefully on any medicine. Your pharmacist is a very useful source of information and advice concerning minor illness and appropriate medications.

Some of the larger local supermarkets have pharmacies with longer opening hours. Please remember that it can be cheaper to buy these remedies from pharmacies rather than paying for a doctor´s prescription to be dispensed.

Pain Relief comes in different forms. All will ease pain and reduce high temperatures. Paracetamol is available in tablet or soluble form for adults and older children, or in liquid form for young children. If you have young children, Paracetamol is perhaps the most important medicine to keep in at all times. Aspirin - comes in tablet and soluble form. Gargling with soluble aspirin is advised for sore throats. It also reduces inflammation so it may be useful for easing muscular aches and pains. Side effects are more common with aspirin than with paracetamol. In particular you must not take aspirin if you have a duodenal or stomach ulcer. Aspirin can make breathing symptoms worse in some people with asthma. Do not give aspirin to children under 16. Anti-inflammatory painkillers - e.g ibuprofen - are painkillers, which also reduce inflammation but are slightly stronger than aspirin. They are available in tablet form for Adults and older children or liquid form for younger children. They are helpful for muscular aches and sprains and are often used to relieve period pain. Like aspirin, they should not be used if you have had an ulcer and should be used with caution if you have asthma.

Antihistamines - ease the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies (e.g. itch, sneezing, watery eyes, runny noses and urticaria (hives). Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness (e.g. piriton) - these may be useful for taking at bedtime. There are several types that cause less drowsiness and are better to take during the day. Antihistamine creams are useful to relive the effects of insect bites and stings.

Antacids - help to ease indigestion and heartburn and are available in different forms and strengths e.g. Rennie, Gaviscon. Always read the label.

You should also keep a variety of plasters, cotton wool and some antiseptic cream to treat minor cuts and grazes.

There are a large number of first aiders on campus who can treat minor injuries. If you are unsure how to find one ask any of the porters or at information desks.

Charges for non-NHS services

Although the National Health Service provides most healthcare to most people free of charge, there are some exceptions. Some travel vaccines and medical reports may have a charge attached. A full list of chargeable items is available in the Health Centre reception area.

Travel Advice

If you are planning to travel abroad then it is important that you consider making an appointment to discuss the health implications of your trip. Many immunisations that you may need for your stay can take several weeks to become effective. Also some anti-malarials need to be started well in advance of your trip. There are some useful website addresses in the English text contained on this website.

Some vaccines are not covered by the NHS and will be charged for - details available in the health centre reception area.

Who do you need to see (nurse or doctor)?

You will often be asked to see a nurse instead of a doctor, particularly if you require an appointment on the same day for a health problem that you have not consulted anyone about before. We have specialist minor illness nurses who are fully qualified to treat minor illness and prescribe where appropriate. This helps to free up doctor time for more complicated health problems and investigations.

How to make an appointment.

You need an appointment to see a nurse or a doctor. These are usually 10 minutes long. You can make an appointment either in person at the health centre or by telephone (721820). Appointments are released each day for anyone who needs to be seen that day. Appointments are also available up to 2 weeks in advance - these are useful if you want to see a specific nurse or doctor. You should always arrive before your appointment time.

Unfortunately there will be occasions when you will have to wait longer than your appointment time to see the doctor or nurse - this is usually because someone with an appointment before you has needed more than ten minutes for their problem or because an urgent case has had to be seen. Please try to be patient in these circumstances.

If you arrive more than 5 minutes late for an appointment you may be asked to re-book, as there will not be sufficient time left of your appointment for you to be seen properly.

If you are unable to keep your appointment please make sure you let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer it to someone else.

How to find a Dentist

If you are looking for an NHS dentist in the York area then you should register with the Dental Waiting List by leaving your name, address (including postcode), date of birth and contact telephone number. You can write to them at: NHS Dental Waiting List, FREEPOST, NEA13107, York. YO31 7ZX, telephone them on 01904 724107, or email them at nyy-pct.DentalRegistration@nhs.uk.

The dental service will contact you direct when a place becomes available. http://www.nyypct.nhs.uk/

Seasonal Advice

Hay fever (or seasonal allergic rhinitis) is caused by an allergy to grass or hay pollens. Grass pollen is the most common cause (May to July). However, the term is sometimes used for allergic reactions caused by other pollens, e.g. tree pollens (March to May). Symptoms occur when the immune system reacts to pollen. Cells on the lining of the nose and yes release histamine and other chemicals when they come into contact with pollen, causing inflammation in the nose (rhinitis) and eyes (conjunctivitis).

Who is affected?

Hay fever is very common, often first developing in the teenage years. Symptoms return for a season each year, but in many cases it eventually goes away or improves - often after having had symptoms each season for several years).

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms are a runny and itchy nose, blocked nose, sneezing, itchy and watery red eyes and an itchy throat. In some cases only nose symptoms occur and in some cases only the eye symptoms occur.

- Less common symptoms are loss of smell, face pain, sweats and headache.

- Asthma symptoms such as wheeze and breathlessness may get worse if you already have asthma. Some people have asthma symptoms only during the hay fever season.

Will it help if I avoid pollen?

It is impossible to totally avoid pollen. However symptoms tend to be less severe if you reduce your exposure. The pollen count is often given with the weather forecast and it may help to try the following when the pollen count is high:

Stay indoors as much as possible and keep windows and doors shut
Avoid cutting grass, stay away from large grassy areas and don´t go camping
Shower and wash your hair after being outdoors
Wear wrap around sunglasses when you are out
Keep car windows closed. Consider buying a pollen filter for the air vents in your car

Treatments

Have you had medication to help with your hayfever before? If you need some more then you can download this form and send it to the health centre – you should not need an appointment but please allow us a couple of days before you come to collect your prescription.

If you have never had any medication for hayfever before but think you may need some please make an appointment with one of our nurses.

A dose from an Antihistamine nose spray can rapidly ease itching, sneezing and watering within 15 minutes or so. It may not be so good at easing congestion thought. The antihistamine works by blocking the action of histamine, one of the chemicals involved in the allergic reaction. The spray can be used as required for mild symptoms, or taken regularly to keep symptoms away. There are several different brands available from the pharmacist.

Oral antihistamines (tablets or liquid) are an alternative to the spray. They ease most of the symptoms but may not be effective at relieving nasal congestion. You can expect the medication to start working within an hour of taking it. For mild symptoms that come and go the medication can be taken as required, or, if your symptoms are more regular, you can take a regular does to prevent an attack.

A pharmacist can advise you on the different brands and types of antihistamines that are available. Some of the older types work well but can cause drowsiness. There are newer ones available that are less likely to cause drowsiness.

Steroid nose sprays are available and work well to clear all the nose symptoms (itch, sneezing, watering and congestion). It works by reducing inflammation in the nose. A steroid nose spray also tends to ease eye symptoms. It is unclear how it helps the eye symptoms, but it does!

It takes several days for a steroid spray to build up to its full effect. Therefore you will not have an immediate relief of symptoms when you first start it. In some people it can take up to three weeks or longer to be fully effective. So do persevere (it is best to start taking it a week before the hay fever season begins if you know that you have hay fever).

A steroid nose spray tends to be the most effective treatment when symptoms are more severe. It can be used in addition to antihistamines is symptoms are not fully controlled by either alone.

You need to take it each day over the hay fever season to keep symptoms away. However, once symptoms have gone, the dose of steroid spray can often be reduced to a low "maintenance" dose each day to keep symptoms away. There are several brands, which you can buy at pharmacies, or get on prescription. Side effects or problems with steroid nose sprays are rare (read the packet leaflet for details).

Eye Drops can be used in addition to other treatments. Antihistamine eye drops work quickly so can be used to ease a flare up of eye symptoms. You can use them regularly if needed and several brands are available from pharmacies.

Treatment for severe symptoms

Rarely a short course of steroid tables is prescribed when other treatments have been ineffective. A short course is usually safe, however you should not take steroid tablets for long periods to treat hay fever as serious side effects may develop.

Asthma and Hay fever

If you develop asthma symptoms during the hay fever season you may be prescribed an inhaler. If you already have asthma, your asthma may become worse in the hay fever season. You may need an increase in the dose of your usual inhalers (or other treatment that you take for asthma).

IMPORTANT IMMUNISATION INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF YORK FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Meningitis C

It is important that you are aware of the symptoms of this potentially serious disease as it is easily spread amongst large groups of young people living in close proximity, making you part of a particularly vulnerable group.

In the early stages signs and symptoms can be similar to many other more common illnesses, for example flu. Look out for the following in particular and trust your instincts - if you suspect meningitis or septicaemia, get medical help immediately.

High temperature, fever possibly with cold hands and feet
Vomiting and sometimes diarrhoea
Severe headache
Neck stiffness (unable to touch chin to chest)
Joint or muscle pains, sometimes stomach cramps with septicaemia
Dislike of bright lights
Drowsiness
Fits
The person may be confused or disoriented
Rash

Symptoms do not appear in any order and some may not appear at all.

If you suspect meningitis get medical help quickly.

Check out www.meningitis-trust.org for further information. All students aged under 25 are recommended to have a meningitis immunisation to build up protection against meningitis C. Students should have this before they come to the UK to ensure they have as much protection as possible when they arrive. This immunisation is available at the University Health Centre.

ARE YOU FULLY IMMUNISED AGAINST MUMPS?

ARE YOU AGED BETWEEN 18 & 25?

You need 2 separate doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine to be properly immunised. There have been recent outbreaks of mumps among your age group at Universities across the UK because students in this age group have not been fully immunised.

Mumps is an acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and painful swollen glands. It is spread form person to person by coughs and sneezes. It can also be transmitted by direct contact though saliva.

It can cause viral meningitis and permanent deafness. Much rarer, but very painful complications of mumps are inflammation of the pancreas and of the ovaries and testicles.

The only effective way to prevent mumps is to have two separate MMR vaccinations. If you don´t know if you´ve had MMR before, having more than one or two doses will not do you any harm.

Ideally you should have both of the vaccinations before you come to University, as this will ensure that you have received as much protection as possible before you are at risk of exposure to mumps. You should have the vaccinations 3 months apart.

If you have been unable to have one or any of your vaccinations before you arrive at University this can be arranged for you but you should bear in mind that you will be at more risk of catching mumps until you have received the second dose.

Further information available at www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk

Emergency Contraception

Nurse appointments are available for contraceptive advice and prescriptions Monday to Friday at the University Health Centre. At one of these appointments you will also be offered condoms free of charge.

If you do need emergency contraception it is important that you make an appointment with a nurse at the health centre as soon as possible to maximise the options available to you. The "morning after pill" will work up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but it is more effective the earlier you take it. The IUD is the other option and can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex. There are other places where you can get help with emergency contraception, please click the link below to the Family Planning Association website for information.

Please visit www.fpa.org.uk for lots of advice and information about contraception and the options available to you.

Alcohol

Visit www.drinkaware.co.uk for lots of useful information about alcohol and its effect on your health.

Smoking

We are all well aware smoking causes not only lung cancer but a whole host of other serious diseases and disorders - many fatal. If you are a smoker we can help you on the road to quitting. Contact the Health Centre for information on smoking cessation advice.

Get further information at www.ash.org.uk

Information sharing within Selby and York Health Community

Your doctor, and other health professionals caring for you, keeps records about your health and any treatment you receive at this Practice. These records are kept securely on our Practice computer system. Where necessary to provide you with the health care you need, your doctor will share information about you with others involved in your treatment, such as hospital consultants. This sharing is made easier and quicker nowadays by developments in information technology. Arrangements are already in place for secure electronic transfer of test results, referrals and discharge correspondence between local hospitals and GP practices. Within the Selby and York Health Community, doctors can use computers to access additional information about their patients´ health. For example, if necessary in the course of your treatment, your GP can see a summary of your hospital, mental health and community health record, and doctors providing care for you at the hospital and in the Out of Hours service may also be able to view a summary of your GP record.

Access is subject to strict security controls and is only available to the doctors treating you, under a professional duty of confidence, in the interests of providing you with the best possible care. However, if you have any concerns about your doctor viewing your summary hospital record, please let us know.