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Keep your medicine cabinet stocked up with over-the-counter remedies.

Minor cuts, headaches, coughs and colds, and splinters can all be treated at home as long as you’re prepared.

Self-care is all about prevention, so remember:

Get your flu jab

It’s free for:

• over 65s
• people with long-term conditions, and some carers of elderly or unwell people
• pregnant mums
• young children (aged 2 and 3, in reception class, or in school years 1, 2, 3, and 4)

Keep warm, keep well

• keep warm to reduce the risk of cold and flu, heart attacks, stroke, pneumonia, and even depression
• heat your house to at least 18 degrees Celsius (64.4 degrees Fahrenheit) if you’re living with people over 65

Call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk when you need medical help fast but you’re not sure where to go, and it’s not a life-threatening emergency.

NHS 111 is open 24 hours a day throughout the year, and staffed by trained medical advisors.

They’ll ask you a couple of questions to direct you to the most appropriate care.

Speak to your local pharmacist for advice about common illnesses and treatments.

Your local pharmacist is a highly trained healthcare professional, so they’re able to tell you about remedies for common problems such as tummy troubles, headaches, and coughs and colds. Some pharmacists can give you your flu jab, too.

Make an appointment with your GP if you need:

• advice about physical or mental health issues
• diagnosis or treatment for a range of conditions
• help with your long-term care
• a referral to specialist or community-based care

You may find your local practice also provides:

• blood tests
• wound care and dressing
• some diabetes treatments

Need to see a GP in the evening or over the weekend?

You can book an out-of-hours appointment by calling your GP, or NHS 111 when they are closed.

You need to be registered with a GP, so find a practice close to you at NHS.uk.

If you need urgent dental care outside of normal hours, visit NHS.uk to find out how you can see a dentist near you.

If you need to speak to someone about your mental health, speak to your GP for advice on how to deal with your symptoms. They’ll be able to point to you towards therapies and treatments in your area.

If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis

• for Brent and Harrow, call 0800 0234 650
• for Ealing, call 030 0123 4244

 Lines are open 24 hours a day.

In an emergency

If you or someone else is in immediate, life threatening danger, call 999.

Your local walk-in centre or urgent care centre are here to treat minor injuries or illnesses that need urgent care, but not serious enough for A&E:

• sprains and strains
• minor broken bones
• minor wound infections
• minor burns and scalds
• minor head injuries
• minor eye injuries

You don’t need an appointment – just walk in and you’ll be seen by a nurse or doctor.

That includes:

• loss of consciousness
• persistent, severe chest pain
• breathing difficulties and choking
• severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
• fits
• severe broken bones or burns

In an emergency always call 999.

If it's not an emergency, please call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk.