Keeping yourself well

If you’re feeling unwell, there are a lot of different ways you can access support that may be able to help you.  

These include, self-care at home, visiting the NHS 111 Wales website, speaking to a local pharmacist or healthcare provider in the community, visiting a minor injuries unit or calling 111.  

Knowing the different ways you can access care will help to ensure you’re seen by the right person, in the right place, first time.  

Remember! If you have any stroke or heart attack symptoms, have severe blood loss or have suffered a major trauma, please ring 999 or visit an Emergency Department straight away. 

Self-care at home 

Many over-the-counter medicines, including paracetamol and ibuprofen, can be purchased to relieve symptoms of common illnesses such as colds, sinusitis or sore throats.  

To manage winter illness symptoms at home, you should keep warm, rest, drink plenty of fluids, have at least one hot meal a day to keep your energy levels up and use over-the-counter medicines to help give relief. 

It’s a good idea to stock up on the following:  

• Cough medicine 

• Throat sweets 

• Decongestant tablets 

• Nasal spray 

• Paracetamol 

• Ibuprofen/ Aspirin 

• Heartburn/ indigestion medicine 

• All-purpose moisturisers (such as E45) 

• Cold sore cream 

• Ulcer treatment (such as Bonjela) 

• Thermometer 

Healthcare support in the community  

Healthcare support is available in your community from the Primary Care team, often known as your local pharmacist, opticians, dentist and your GP Practice.  

Each member of the Primary Care team specialises in different areas to support you with your healthcare needs.  

• Your Local Pharmacy  

  • Your local community pharmacy team can provide advice and treatment on a range of common conditions, without the need for you to see your GP.  

• Opticians  

  • Opticians can support you with any eye problems or concerns. 

• Dentist 

  • Your dentist can help you with any urgent tooth or mouth pain or routine check-ups. 

• Your GP Practice  

  • Your GP practice has a team of professionals to support with a range of healthcare needs, from more complex conditions to chronic condition reviews.  

NHS 111 Wales  

NHS 111 Wales is available to access online, offering health advice and information for people living in Wales. You can access:  

• Health information 

• Find services near you  

• Check your symptoms and advice on next steps  

111 is also available to call for support. If you require urgent advice, or need support and your GP Practice is closed, you can call 111.  

By calling 111, you will speak to a trained call handler who will assess your symptoms and a healthcare professional will call you back to provide self-care advice or direct you to a more appropriate service.  

Emergency Department 

During the winter, our emergency departments at Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital and Princess of Wales Hospital can become exceptionally busy. 

During these times, clinical staff will be caring for patients who are very unwell and need urgent care. 

The most seriously injured and ill patients will be prioritised. Even if you are there before someone else, if you have a less serious condition, you might face an extended wait.  

Please only attend the Emergency Department in an emergency.  

If you are unsure as to what constitutes an emergency, some examples would include: 

• Unconsciousness 

• Difficulty in breathing 

• Suspected heart attack 

• Serious injury or heavy blood loss 

• Sudden weakness or speech problems