Self Help
For a lot of common illnesses and ailments there is no specific cure, and they will be relieved with time and simple remedies available without prescription. Therefore, please do not expect your doctor to prescribe a drug for every problem. Discussion and advice may be far more useful and free from side effects.
We feel it is important that all households should keep a reasonably stocked supply of over the counter medicines at home to deal with minor ailments. Remember, all medicines should be stored in a box or cupboard with a lock and kept well out of the reach of children. Always check the expiry date on medicines and do not keep them for future use, as they lose their effect or become dangerous.
You can also visit your local pharmacy for help and advice when you have a minor illness or ailment.
NHS online resources
You can get advice on a number of minor injuries and illnesses, and browse the NHS A-Z of conditions where you can find out about symptoms, causes and treatments of common illnesses and conditions.
The NHS 111 symptom checker will help you decide if you can use self-care or if you need to see a clinician. The symptom checker is also available from within the NHS app - a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.
There are also self-help guides for the self-care of common conditions including earache, abdominal pain and headache on the NHS UK website, and information about caring for yourself at home if you have symptoms of Covid-19 or Flu.
None of us like being ill, and we want to feel better again as soon as possible. Self-care will often be the quickest way to treat a minor illness.
GetUBetter App 
NHS-approved app for support to recover, live and work well
The GetUBetter app is provided free of charge by SW London ICB for patients registered at Chartfield Surgery.
It can be accessed on a Smartphone or on the Web and guides you day-by-day through a sequence of exercises and tips to help you get better from a range of new or recurrent musculoskeletal conditions:
- Lower back pain
- Back and leg pain
- Neck Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Ankle Pain
- Knee Pain
- Soft Tissue Lower Limb
- Hip Pain
- Women’s pelvic health (new module added Summer 2025)
All patients at Chartfield Surgery can register for the GetUBetter app, whether you are registering following a GP or Physio appointment, or by self-referring, if you feel you would benefit from NHS-approved exercises and support for any of the conditions mentioned in the list above.
Please use an email address that is unique to you and select the condition(s) you need help to manage.You will then be sent an email with all the information you need to get started.You can download the getUBetter app to your Smartphone for easiest access, or use the GetuBetter web app.If you develop another condition, select your new condition from within the app and it will be added to your account.
The app will also connect you to your local healthcare providers for support services or further treatment (such as physiotherapy)
Self-Refer using GetUBetter
Self referrals and local health resources
You can self refer for a number of conditions, including for antenatal care and mental health support, and get support locally for a number of health and social problems. Find out more on our self referral & self help resources page.
