Health Hints

If you are admitted to hospital, the following advice may be helpful:

• Leave any valuables (rings and other jewellery etc.) at home.
• Don’t forget basic toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant etc.).

To make your visit with us as productive as possible, please bear the following in mind:

• Check your medication supply and book into your doctor a fortnight before you are due to run out.
• You may not always get an appointment on the same day.
• Check you have a referral before making specialist appointments. Specialist referrals are only valid for 12 months unless stated otherwise.
• If you require a referral you will be required to make an appointment with the doctor.
• To save yourself waiting time at the surgery, please let our reception staff know if you require a longer appointment (standard appointments are 10-15 minutes).
• Write a list of problems and medications required before visiting your doctor.
• Don’t forget to bring your Medicare Card and Health Care Card / Pension Card along with you to the appointment.
• Please try to be on time for your appointment; delays hold up all the patients booked in after you. Let the practice know if you are running late or want to cancel, otherwise a nonattendance fee applies.
• Medicare cheques have a life of 90 days; please send or bring them into the practice when first received to save confusion.

• • Soluble Aspirin Tablets: (For adults) Good for headaches, colds, sore throats and painful bruises.
  • Paracetamol mixture: For relief of fever or pain in young children.
  • Cough linctus or lozenges: For dry or painful coughs — but not coughs caused by common colds.
  • Vapour Rub: Add to hot water for steam inhalations. Also useful for children with stuffy noses or dry coughs, rub on the chest and under the nose.
  • Antiseptic solution: One teaspoon diluted in warm water for cleaning cuts and grazes.
  • Antiseptic Cream: For treating painful or septic spots, sores in the nose and grazes.
  • Rehydration Sachets: For treatment of diarrhoea.
  • Ointment for Bruises and Sprains: If used as soon as possible after the injury, helps prevent stiffness and pain.
  • Dressing Strips and Non-Allergic Tape: For minor cuts.
  • 75mm wide Crepe or Elasticised Tubular Bandage: To keep dressings in place. To support sprained or bruised joints.
  • Cotton Wool: For cleaning cuts and grazes.
  • Thermometer: For fevers. The infrared models used in the ear are especially useful for children, and more reliable.
  • Tweezers/Scissors: For removing splinters.
  • Hot & Cold Packs: Treatment of bruising, relief of joint pains.