Not Feeling Tip Top? Here's Some Top Tips!

Feeling unwell? Not sure of the best course of action?

IF YOU HAVE CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS: it is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive or have any of the below coronavirus symptoms.  Please check the latest NHS Covid self-isolation advice if you do not feel well enough to go to work or do your normal activities.

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick or being sick

SELF-CARE: is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses, ailments and injuries. A range of common illnesses and complaints can be treated with a well-stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest.

• For cold and flu advice – why not have a look at: http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/coldsandflu/Pages/Coldsandfluhome.aspx

TALKING TO YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST: can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaints, without having to wait for a GP appointment or go to your A&E.

• Find your nearest pharmacy at: http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/Pharmacy/Pages/Pharmacyhome.aspx

VISITING OR CALLING YOUR GP: If you have an illness or injury that won’t go away, make an appointment with your GP. Please be aware that due to the coronavirus crisis your GP may not be holding face to face appointments, so please call ahead before you visit.

• The Health Centre, based on Frenchay Campus, works in association with the The Old School Surgery in Fishponds: http://www.uwe.ac.uk/life/health-and-wellbeing/access-health-services/university-health-centre

CALLING NHS 111: provides confidential telephone service, 24 hours a day, to give advice and guidance on health issues. Call 111 from your phone.

GOING TO A LOCAL NHS WALK-IN CENTRE OR MINOR INJURIES UNIT: offers access to a range of treatments for minor illnesses and injuries that don't need a trip to the hospital. Please be aware that due to the coronavirus crisis the nearest Walk-in centre may not be operating as normal so please call ahead before you visit.

• Find your nearest walk-in centre at: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/Walk-incentresSummary.aspx

THE STUDENT HEALTH APP: This is another great app if you are feeling unwell. It provides easy access to 900 pages of reliable health information and has been created for university students.

LOCAL A&E DEPARTMENT (you can make your own way, arriving in an ambulance does not mean you will be seen any quicker): A&E departments and the NHS 999 ambulance service should only be used in a critical or life-threatening situation.

If you need to call the emergency services, call 9999 from an internal telephone or 0117 328 9999 if using a mobile.  This will be answered as a priority by Frenchay Campus East Reception staff who will contact the appropriate service and provide them with the quickest route to you.

For more advice about Student Health, visit this link: http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/studenthealth/pages/studenthealthhome.aspx

If you are worried about your mental health, find out what support is available to you here.