Preparedness for when

Nargleblast

Reading news items recently regarding the NHS, we can expect to see smaller GP surgeries close and patients having to transfer to larger surgeries further away from their homes. Also, a large number of GPs are heading near retirement age, and there are not enough doctors electing to do general practice after med school to take their places.

Now, I am in no way trying to give medical advice on a forum, but I think we should all be a little more self-sufficient in our health needs. Bearing in mind that in some areas it is almost impossible to get an urgent GP appointment on the day you want it, we should all make sure we have a basic medicine cabinet at home. None of this "taking Junior to the doctors because he's had a cold for a week" nonsense, I know from years of having colds myself and having kids with colds that the symptoms can linger on and on, and sometimes they catch a new cold germ just as they are recovering from another one.

So, paracetamol and ibuprofen are known to help with aches and pains and fevers, and sticking your head under a towel over a bowl of boiling water with a few drops of eucalyptus oil will help ease stuffed up noses. In fact, when I took my son to the GP last year (because he was anxious about his cold, so it was to put his mind at rest as much as anything) he was prescribed a bottle of inhalation solution for use as described above. It contained menthol and eucalyptus. You also have good old fashioned Vick and blends like Olbas oil, which many people swear by. Honey is soothing for a sore throat, and stuff like elderberry syrup, which you can make yourself. Generally most complaints sort themselves out with rest, simple analgesia and plenty of oral fluids, and your own body will tell you when it feels like eating.

All this stuff I have just written is evidence-based, tried-and-tested, and a knowledge of basic first aid (eg how to treat a cut) should also be part of everyone's education. Obviously, you need the knowledge and common sense to know when home methods are not enough and when you should seek medical advice, but for routine stuff we should be getting out of the mindset that you automatically run to the GP or turn up at A & E, which I am sure some people out there do. They may find it not so easy to access healthcare services on demand if things carry on the way they are going.

I know there will be those people who, because of compromised immune systems or complex medical problems, will need to seek medical advice sooner rather than later, but for most normal, reasonably fit people, simple home remedies are often the answer.

Nargleblast

Memory_Girl wrote: »

Finished my store cupboard audit and I have to declare a state of emergency ...... I have NO repeat NO bags of sugar in stock!!! How am I going to make tablet? Will nobody think of the children???

Guess what is TOP of the shopping list?


MG

Ah, but think of your children's teeth!!!!

(Although if you let them all rot away with copious applications of tablet, you will save on dentist bills........)

calicocat

Memory_Girl wrote: »

I have it on good authority that all eggs in an Independent Scotland will be double-yolkers and of the Cadbury Chocolate variety. ROFL

Mind you said expert was rummaging through my veggies beds this morning for slugs before I hoisted her back over the wall to join her flock-mates.

I think a taste of freedom went to her head LOL.

Finished my store cupboard audit and I have to declare a state of emergency ...... I have NO repeat NO bags of sugar in stock!!! How am I going to make tablet? Will nobody think of the children???

Guess what is TOP of the shopping list?



MG

Lol..............

daz378

sending 8...9 packets of hobnobs to LA on my last day off till next Saturday also throw some toffees in as well....... defrosting fridge today.. someone drag me away from this jetset lifestyle....off to nearby precinct soon getting a bit chilly of late..... take care have a good weekend

[Deleted User]

Memory_Girl wrote: »

Guess what is TOP of the shopping list?

Toilet Paper?

COOLTRIKERCHICK

now that we have more or less lived in the caravan at our smallholding all summer, I have been noticing a lot of wildlife etc... now if the SHTF.. and we are on the bare bones of our backside, due to economy or some sort of disaster etc.. what wild birds, small animals could we catch and eat..


We have loads of squirrels, we have a few wood pigeons ( not many) and a huge tribe of magpies, which are getting on my nerves sqwarking etc... can you eat magpies?? haven't seen any rabbits around... but that might be down to there are loads of foxes, and I think stoats around...

[Deleted User]

You can eat pretty much anything, animal wise.

Frugalsod

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Toilet Paper?

We now have the truth. You are truly anally retentive. :rotfl:

Margaret54

H Lyn thank you so much Yes we have our fingers crossed about the job. Our wee man is doing great and we have enjoyed seeing him with his Mummy:) That is lovely to hear that wee Zebra is sitting up alone now. Time flies by much too quickly sure enough. Every day they are doing something different aren't they? Have a peaceful weekend Lyn Margaret xx

[Deleted User]

Frugalsod wrote: »

We now have the truth. You are truly anally retentive. :rotfl:

If I was anally retentive, I wouldn't need the toilet paper.