General Self Care Information

NHS Scotland does not recommend choosing to pay to travel abroad for surgery as part of a packaged holiday. This is sometimes called surgical or cosmetic tourism. Surgical options in Scotland can appear more expensive, but patients should think about the potential savings against the potential risks of travelling for surgery. Please see the following NHS Inform guidance which you may wish to repeat on your practice website:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/surgical-procedures/surgery-abroad-without-nhs-referral

Sleep

https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/sleep-insomnia-self-help/

Advice online or available to save as PDF and download/print.

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-self-help-guides/sleep-problems-and-insomnia-self-help-guide

Advice online or available to save as PDF and download/print.

https://www.wellbeing-glasgow.org.uk/better-sleep-resources

Advice online or available to save as PDF and download/print.

Physical Activity and Falls

https://fallsassistant.org.uk/

Falls Assistant is a falls prevention and self-management tool specifically designed and created to help prevent falls, keep people steady on their feet and stay as independent as possible. It enables older people, their carers and family members to assess their own falls risk, and then provides tailored advice that will give them a plan to reduce their future risk of falls and fractures.

This resource has been developed by NHS 24’s Scottish Centre for Telehealth and Telecare (SCTT) as part of the European SmartCare programme.

ECo4 funding

What is the ECO4 scheme in Scotland?

The ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) Scheme is a government-backed energy efficiency scheme in Scotland that provides funding to help households escape from fuel poverty. It is funded by the major UK utility companies including British Gas, EDF and Scottish Power. The government has asked these companies to provide funding from profits to provide funding to help people make their homes more efficient.

ECO grants provide non-repayable funding to cover the cost of installing energy saving products like roof and wall insulation, solar panels and air source heating. By making your home more energy efficient you can reduce your energy bills substantially. This contributes to lowering the amount of harmful emissions your heating system releases into the environment.

The ECO grant scheme in Scotland runs until March 2026 for low-income households that are off the gas grid.

ECO is designed for homeowners, landlords and private tenants who live / own properties which are off the gas grid, and are heated by oil, LPG or electric heaters.

The scheme provides 100% grants for eligible households where a member of the household claims a specific income-related benefit.

For more information and to check eligibility please click on this link ECO Scotland ECo4 funding

Womens Health

Menopause Matters:

https://menopausematters.co.uk/

Coppafeel:

https://coppafeel.org/

Chronic Illness

Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland

https://www.chss.org.uk/

British Heart Foundation

https://www.bhf.org.uk/

Diabetes UK

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/in_your_area/scotland

Diabetes Grampian:

https://www.nhsgrampiandiabetes.scot.nhs.uk/contact-details/

Diabetes and driving:

https://www.gov.uk/diabetes-driving

Inhaler technique:

www.rightbreathe.com

COPD:

www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/copd

https://www.catestonline.org/

Asthma:

https://www.asthma.org.uk/

https://www.asthmacontroltest.com/

https://mylungsmylife.org/

Cancer and Palliative

Macmillan:

http://macmillan.org.uk/

Clan:

https://clanhouse.org/

Bowel Cancer UK:

https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/

Marie Curie:

https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/

Cancer Research UK:

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-symptoms/spot-cancer-early

Breast Cancer:

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/breast-cancer

Prostate Cancer:

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/prostate-cancer

https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information

Pharmacy

NHS Pharmacy First:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/pharmacy/nhs-pharmacy-first-scotland

Medication Wastage:

http://www.medicinewaste.com/campaign

Medication Safety:

https://www.gov.uk/report-problem-medicine-medical-device

Musculoskeletal and Pain

MSK Physio Self Referral Form

Muscle, Bone and Joints:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints

10 Ways to Reduce Pain:

https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pain/Pages/Painhome.aspx

Physiotherapy in Grampian:

https://www.mskphysiogrampian.scot.nhs.uk/

MSk resources weblinks

Back pain/persistent pain

Elbow pain patient resources

Hand pain patient resources

Hip pain patient resources

Knee pain patient resources

Neck pain patient resources

Pelvic floor and pregnancy resources

Shoulder pain patient resources

My pain toolkit; for young people living with pain

Pain https://livewellwithpain.co.uk/ Free online resources for patients to sign up for https://livewellwithpain.co.uk/what-is-self-management/

https://www.affasair.org/

Affa Sair was formed in 2015 as a closed Facebook Group by chronic pain sufferer Chris Bridgeford from Forres, in the North East of Scotland. Chris has lived with chronic pain since 1978.

Affa Sair has now gathered 730 members (May 2023) and strives to ensure that the struggles of living with chronic pain are brought to the fore and that chronic pain sufferers are supported by government, health clinicians and society in general.

Most of our work is done on-line as chronic pain sufferers have immense difficulty in getting out and about. You can access our private Facebook Group where only members may freely discuss their condition and pick up hints and tips from other sufferers together with articles and documents researched by the group.

In November 2019 Affa Sair was granted Charitable Status as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Charity Number is SC049728.

Child Health

Parent Club:

https://www.parentclub.scot/

Help Your Kids Stay Healthy:

https://www.nhs.uk/change4life#JhlLGv6xUFRyLofG.97

Childline:

https://www.childline.org.uk/

BBC Action Line:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/a-z/

Therapistaid (therapy tools related to all subjects for children) :

https://www.therapistaid.com/tools/none/children

Wax Removal Regime

Prior to following this regime, please ensure you are suitable for irrigation

You are not suitable if, on the affected side:

You have an ear infection

You have had surgery on the ear

You suffer from tinnitus in the ear

You have/or have had a perforation of the eardrum (hole in the eardrum)

You only have hearing on this side – no hearing in the other ear

You have a cleft palate

If you are suitable to continue, please follow this advice:

· If the ear feels blocked install 2 drops of sodium bicarbonate drops to the affected ear- for 2 nights only

· If the ear is still blocked after the use of sodium bicarbonate drops, a trial of a “self-irrigating bulb” is recommended. This can be bought at a pharmacy.

· You may need to repeat the sodium bicarbonate and bulb a couple of times to fully clear the ear.

· If self-irrigation is successful, start installing a couple of drops of olive oil to the ear every week. This is to try and prevent the ear blocking up again.

· If self-irrigation is not successful, you may need micro-suction to clear the ear. This is a procedure offered privately in a number of places locally. The service may be offered on a very limited basis at Dr Grays Hospital. Your GP practice will be able to advise you whether this service is running or not.

Jenny Barclay

ENT Nurse Practitioner

Dr Grays Hospital

Quick Links

General Self Care Information

Scotlands Health Information Service:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/

https://www.parentclub.scot/

ECo4 funding

What is the ECO4 scheme in Scotland?

Womens Health

Chronic Illness

Cancer and Palliative

Pharmacy

Musculoskeletal and Pain

Child Health

Prior to following this regime, please ensure you are suitable for irrigation

You are not suitable if, on the affected side:

If you are suitable to continue, please follow this advice:

Further Information

Your Health