Other Information

Bereavement

If the death occurs when we are open and the patient was recently seen by us and death was expected, a death certificate can normally be issued. The doctor will usually visit to confirm the death. You should then contact the funeral director and inform them that their services will be required. You will then need to take the death certificate to the registrars' office for the area in which the death took place.

You should also take the deceased's medical card if available. Take the green form to the funeral directors who will take over complete responsibility for arranging the funeral. If the death occurs out of hours and was expected, CAMIDOC, our out-of-hours service, will notify us and we will deal with the death certification procedure when we next re-open. You may contact the undertakers before the certificate is issued.In the event of an unexpected death, the doctor will need to notify the coroner. You will then be given further instructions.

Minor Ailments

Minor ailment scheme - please consult your local pharmacist who can help you with advice and medications related to minor illnesses.

Colds

Even in this day and age there is still no magic cure for the common cold. Go to bed, take plenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish take aspirin or paracetamol. Antibiotics have no effect on the common cold.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea in adults usually clears by itself in a few days. The symptoms can usually be eased by a medicine called Loperamide, available from the chemist. Consult your doctor if the symptoms persist for more than a few days.

Nosebleeds

Sit in a chair (leaning forward with your mouth open) and pinch your nose just below the bone for approximately 10 minutes, by which time the bleeding should have stopped. Repeat once if necessary. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

Insect Bites And Stings

Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most symptoms. Applying calamine lotion is also helpful. Note: bee stings should be scraped away rather than “plucked” in order to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac into the wound.

Chickenpox

The most infectious period is from two or three days before the rash appears and up to five days after this date. Children may return to school as soon as the last ‘crusts’ have dropped off.

Head Lice

These are most easily detected by fine tooth combing through really wet hair. If head lice are discovered there are two available options. Firstly, the 'conditioning and wet combing' method is less expensive and more successful. Secondly, by using overnight lotions, which are available from a chemist without a prescription. Contact your health visitor for more advice.

Burns

Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and maintain this until the pain subsides. This may take as long as 15 minutes. If the skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a loose, dry dressing. If the burn is larger than four or five inches in diameter or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Sunburn

Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation, whilst paracetamol will also help.

Infectious Diseases

Thrush

This is a common cause of an itchy, white vaginal discharge in women. It can be triggered by antibiotics, the pill or pregnancy. Treat with Canesten cream or pessaries, available from the chemist without prescription. Avoid nylon underwear. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

Chickenpox

On the first day a rash appears as small red patches approximately 3-4mm across.

Within a few hours of developing, small blisters appear in the centre of these patches. During the next three to four days, further patches appear and the earliest ones crust. Cool baths and calamine lotion may be soothing. Children are most infectious from three days before the rash appears until five days after its onset and can return to school as soon as the last crusts have dropped off.

Adults or children with severe chickenpox should consult their doctor.

Measles

The rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body around the fourth day. It is most infectious from two or three days before the rash appears until eight to ten days after the onset of the rash. Immunisation can prevent this potentially serious disease.

Meningitis

This presents with fever, headaches, irritability, sensitivity to light, stiffness of the neck, vomiting, red or purple skin rash (with some bacterial strains), confusion, lethargy or unconsciousness. Fits can occur. If worried, please contact your doctor.

Mumps

Symptoms include swelling of one of the glands in front of the ear, followed two or three days later by swelling of the other gland. It is infectious from two or three days before the swelling appears until eight or ten days after the swelling has appeared. Immunisation can prevent this disease.

Rubella (German Measles)

The rash appears during the first day and usually covers the body, arms and legs in small pink patches about 2-4mm across. It does not itch. No other symptoms are present except occasional aching joints. It is infectious from two days before the rash appears until the rash disappears. The main danger is to unborn babies and therefore it is important that anyone who is pregnant contacts their doctor.

Immunisation can prevent this disease.

Other Local Health Services

For information about other local primary care health services you can contact Family Health Service Contracts Team, 338-346 Goswell Road, London EC1V 7QP;
Tel: 020 7527 1182/3. www.camdenpct.nhs.uk.