A&E departments are there if you have an accident or are seriously ill. In an emergency dial 999 for an ambulance. There is an A&E department at;

There is a Minor Injuries Unit at Wharfedale General Hospital, Newall Carr Road, in Otley which is available from 8.00am to 11.00pm, 7 days a week.

This is a nurse-led service for various minor injuries such as cuts and sprains, where a full A&E service is not appropriate. No prior appointment is needed.

Examples of where they are able to help include;

They are not able to;

There are 3 pharmacies in Otley. Pharmacists are experts on medicines and can give you specialist advice on a range of common ailments and appropriate medicines without an appointment. Private rooms may be available.

Pharmacists can also provide you with advice on medication, including possible side effects, and supply you with a range of medicines, often more cheaply than obtaining the same item on a standard prescription.

The practice also has an arrangement with a telephone / internet pharmacy where patients can order their repeat prescriptions directly with them, and have the item delivered to an address of choice. Please ask at reception for details of this service.

If you are very short of breath or have breathing difficulties you should seek medical advice by contacting the surgery, out of hours service or NHS Direct. Other symptoms may include runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes, which may indicate Hay Fever, especially if they come at certain times of the year. Your pharmacist will be able to advise medication.

Where symptoms come in particular places, or near animals you may be allergic to specific substances, or if symptoms are worse in the home, you may be having a reaction to house dust mites. Vacuum cleaners with a filtration system may help alleviate these symptoms.

For other potential causes you may wish to seek medical advice, or consult your pharmacist who can offer advice on self-treatment or medication.

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Bites from inspects normally appear as a raised lump which may be itchy. Keep the area cool and seek advice on effective creams from your local pharmacy.

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Apply quantities of cold water to the area and keep this in place until the pain reduces – this may take up to 20 minutes. If a blister forms apply a dry dressing fairly loosely. Where the burn area is large (more than 5cm in diameter) or the skin is broken seek advice from the MIU (see above) or make an appointment to see your doctor.

Painkillers may be taken if needed.

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Typical symptoms include sore throats, temperatures, runny nose and muscular aches. Colds and Flu are caused by a virus, which are not responsive to antibiotics or other treatments, so the patient should be kept comfortable and be given preparations to relieve the symptoms. Give the patient frequent fluids and the correct dose of paracetemol, and consider the use of decongestants from the local pharmacy. Symptoms will usually begin to abate after about 7 to 10 days.

Flu symptoms will be more severe. It is not normally necessary to see a doctor, however if you develop breathing difficulties, chest pain and breathlessness, or green sputum contact the surgery. If you are over 65 or have ongoing health condition also see our page on Vaccinations.

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May show as a red rash consisting of small spots approximately 3mm diameter, with small blister-like centres appearing later. The spots may continue to develop over the next few days and will be itchy, often severely so. The older ones will begin to crust over and drop off. Treat with calamine lotion and keep the area cool.

The infectious period is from 3 days prior to the spots appearing through to about 7 days later. Children should be removed from school until all of the rash has crusted over, which will probably be at least 10 days absence.

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In the event of dental pain take paracetemol to the required dose and see your dentist. Your local pharmacy may often hold emergency dental repair kits which you can use to temporarily repair lost fillings.

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This is generally caused by a virus or by eating unclean or unsuitable food. Generally treatment is to reduce your food intake and take regular small quantities of water or other liquid to maintain hydration.

Diarrhoea in babies or younger children needs careful consideration. Babies are often “loose” due to their diet, but where this is unusual reduce intake of solids and use a liquid sugar / salt preparation, or a proprietary formulae from your pharmacy.In the case of concern, or if symptoms last for more than a day (6 – 12 hours for babies and young children) arrange to visit the doctor.

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This is common in children, and may occur along with a cold. Use paracetemol. If there are other symptoms such as an ear discharge, ongoing pain, or a temperature then ring for an appointment.

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These are common and most often noticed in children, and can easily be passed on by close contact. Where you have discovered an outbreak check all family members, and obtain a treatment from your local pharmacy. You should treat all members of the family at the same time to eradicate effectively.

If your child is at school or nursery advise them so that they can let parents know to check the other children. Failure to do this could mean that your own children could re-catch the headlice once they return to school. Headlice like a clean environment and they are not indicative of a lack of personal hygiene or care.

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Children can be quite ill with this and have a bad chest. It presents as a red and blotchy rash on the face and body, appearing on about the 4th day. Infectious period is 3 days prior to the rash until about 10 days afterwards. Immunisation is recommended – see our page on Vaccinations.

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Despite fears, this is remains a rare condition. Patients may experience drowsiness, fever, headache, some neck stiffness, and eyes being irritated by the light. There may be some vomiting with cold hands and feet. Watch for purple spots which may resemble bruises which do not fade when a glass is applied to them.

If you suspect meningitis contact your doctor, out of hours service, or attend your local A&E department (see above).

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This may present itself by the swelling of the glands forward of one of the ears, and a few days later the other side may appear. Infectious period is 3 days prior to the swelling through to about 10 days afterwards. There may be some pain and if this is severe make an appointment to se the doctor.

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Children tend to have rashes. These are often of little significance if the child is otherwise well, and will tend to vanish again. If the child is unwell with the rash make an appointment to see your doctor.

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Sore throats are common and should be treated with paracetemol and preparations from the pharmacy. They may take up to 2 weeks to abate. If you have a temperature and / or difficulty swallowing make an appointment.

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Children often have higher than normal temperatures without other apparent symptoms. Cool them down by removing clothing and keeping the room cool and ventilated, and give them plenty of water to drink.

Use Calpol or other proprietary liquid medicine containing paracetemol to reduce temperature and maintain the correct dose based on their age – your local pharmacy can advise on this. Warm water can be used to wash them down and cool them if necessary.

Bring them to see the doctor if the temperature does not reduce with this treatment or if the child also seems otherwise unwell, or telephone the surgery for advice.

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Obtain a suitable treatment from your pharmacy to treat all members of the family at the same time. It is essential that particular care is taken with hand hygiene before eating and at intervals throughout the day, by all family members, and a nailbrush used by everyone before meals.

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