Self Referral Physiotherapy
Did you know that you can self-refer yourself to the Physiotherapy Department without seeing a doctor?
If you have a musculoskeletal problem (pain/discomfort affecting your muscles, ligaments and tendons or bones) and you think you would benefit from seeing a physiotherapist, you can book this direct.
Please read the criteria in the link below and if you are eligible, complete the electronic form. This will be triaged by the physio department and they will offer you an appointment if appropriate.
Click here to complete the online self-referral physiotherapy form
Blocked ears (wax) self-care guidelines for patients
Earwax
Earwax is a normal build-up of dead cells, hair, foreign material such as dust, and natural wax which forms a protective coating on the skin in the ear canal. The quantity of earwax produced varies greatly from person to person.
A doctor or nurse can look into the ear canal and confirm a plug of earwax has formed, though this isn’t always necessary. A plug of earwax is not a serious problem, more a nuisance. You only need to remove earwax if it is causing symptoms such as dulled hearing or when fitting a hearing aid.
Do not put anything in your ear if you have pain or if you are aware that you have a perforation (hole in the ear drum)- see your nurse/GP.
Do not try to remove wax using a cotton bud or any other small item – this only stimulates the wax secreting glands – to make more wax – and gives a serious risk of infection and perforation! Nothing smaller than your elbow should go into your ear!
Note: If you think you have ear wax, do not try to clean the ear canal with cotton wool buds. This can make things worse, as you will push some earwax deeper inside. It may also cause an ear infection.
Ear drops alone will clear a plug of earwax in most cases. Put 2 or 3 drops of ordinary olive oil down the ear 2 or 3 times a day for 2-3 weeks. This softens the wax so that it then runs out of its own accord without harming the ear. You can continue for any length of time, but 3 weeks is usually enough. Surprisingly, you will not necessarily see wax come out. It often seems to come out unnoticed.
If you are prone to repeated wax built up you can continue to use olive oil drops twice a week to prevent recurrence.
If olive/almond/coconut oil does not work you can buy drops from pharmacies.
How to use ear drops:
- Warm the drops to room temperature before using them
- Pour a few drops into the affected ear
- Lie with the affected ear uppermost when putting in drops
- Stay like this for 10 minutes to allow the drops to soak into the earwax.
Bulb syringing is a safe, alternate way to remove ear wax. Bulb syringes can be easily purchased from a pharmacy and allow you to clear your ears from wax in your own home.
If your ears are painful or have fluid coming out of them, or if you have a hole in their ear drum (perforation) or have recently had surgery on your ear you should see a doctor or nurse and don’t use this method.
Bulb Syringing:
Instructions for Bulb Syringing:
Use olive oil drops twice a day for at least 14 days prior to bulb syringing. Or alternatively use sodium bicarbonate ear drops purchased from your pharmacy (please read the manufacturers leaflet.)
- Wash your hands.
- Use a bowl of cooled, boiled water that is warm to the touch, not too hot or too cold. You can use 50% water 50% vinegar if you would like as this has an anti-inflammatory effect due to acetic acid in the vinegar.
- Prepare the syringe by squirting water in and out of it a few times.
- Gently pull your outer ear “up and out” to help straighten out the canal, which will allow better access for the water
- Tilt your head so the ear to be treated is upmost.
- Place the tip of the syringe into the opening of the ear.- Do NOT push the syringe further into the ear and gently squirt one or more bulb syringes of water into your ear. (This might be best done in the shower so that the excess water will run into the bathtub and not on your floor)
- Allow the water to remain in your ear for at least 60 seconds. Gently tilt your head in the opposite direction and wiggle your outer ear
Ear irrigation is only recommended in the rare occasions where ear drops and bulb syringing has failed to work. Ear syringing can lead to ear infections, perforated ear drum and tinnitus (persistent noise) and therefore it is only performed in exceptional circumstances. If you think you have persisting wax despite taking the above measures please make an appointment with your doctor or nurse to discuss.
For patients who are not physically able to self-manage please discuss with the surgery.
Warts & Verruca
Verrucas and Warts in children
Ashfields does not offer any treatment for these
They are caused by a virus- and they usually will disappear spontaneously. This can take years. No treatment is needed
Over the counter products can help get rid of them but they would have to be used for at least 3 months. Alternatively click on this link for the treatment method Ashfields would suggest
Cheshire West Carer Support
Do you look after a family member or friend who couldn’t manage without your help?
Perhaps you look after someone who is frail, ill, has a disability, mental ill health, or substance misuse issues?
Maybe you care for a child with a learning or physical disability?
If you are, then its important that your GP knows about it. Ask to speak with one of our Carer Links. You can complete a Carer Registration Form (available at reception) and by handing this back at Reception we can make a note on your records that you care for someone as well as on the records of the person you care for.
By registering as a carer you will also be able to access a range of information, support and advice services. You will receive a regular newsletter, be able to access the Emergency Card service as well as other services such as respite, and emotional and financial support.
For more information about services available to you call
Cheshire West Carer Support Helpline on 0300 102 0008 (Monday-Friday 9-5pm)
Visit the website www.cheshirewestcarersupport.co.uk
Children & Young Peoples Out of Hours Advice Line
Cheshire and Wirral NHS Partnership Trust’s children and young peoples out of hours advice line, provides mental health services to children and young people, their families and concerned professionals outside of usual business hours.
All Clinicians you speak to are trained in different backgrounds and have experience and knowledge of a range of mental health difficulties.
> Are you a young person struggling with your mental health?
> Are you worried about your child’s mental health?
> Are you an adult working with a young person and are concerned about their mental health?
Contact our advice line for advice, support and resources.
Mon – Fri 5.00pm – 10.00pm
Weekends 12.00pm – 8.00pm
01244 397644
You can also visit http://www.mymind.org.uk/ to find out more information about children and young peoples mental health services.
You In Mind
YouinMind.org is an online platform helping you find mental health and wellbeing services in Cheshire.
Simple in design and easy to use, YouinMind.org is designed to connect those with mental health needs with local providers and online resources that they would otherwise be unable to find.
Whether you’re looking for professional support like counselling or wish to join a community group to improve your wellbeing, there’s something for everything on our website. Search by condition and postcode to discover suitable services near you.
At YouinMind.org, our goal is to make mental health services in Cheshire more accessible. We know that finding the right support can be a challenge; that’s why our platform is dedicated to signposting you to relevant services.
Our team works closely with local providers to keep our platform up-to-date and to make sure their services reach those that need it. If you run a mental health service, please get in touch so we can include you on our database.
Since launching in May 2017, we have partnered with over 150 providers and list more than 700 mental health services (accurate as of May 2018). We are currently commissioned NHS South Cheshire CCG and NHS Vale Royal CCG and we work in close partnership with NHS West Cheshire and NHS East Cheshire CCG.
Visit YouinMind.org, and find the mental health support you need.
Acromioclavicular Joint (ACJ) Sprain
The ACJ is where the collar bone meets the shoulder blade, this is a small joint supported by soft tissues. When you sprain the soft tissues they are over stretched, this causes a reaction in the soft tissues which manifests as pain around the joint.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is pressure on a nerve in the wrist (The Median Nerve). Causes of pressure may include swelling, thickened soft tissues or bony changes.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is a common condition that causes pain on the outer side of the elbow. It occurs due a strain on the tendons that attach the muscles of the wrist and fingers to the bone on the outside of the elbow.
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement is an umbrella term used to describe the compression or irritation of the rotator cuff tendons (tissue that attaches the muscle to the bone) underneath the bone or ligaments inside your shoulder. Other names are used to describe this problem, including sub acromial or sub deltoid bursitis, tendinopathy, subacromial pain syndrome and rotator cuff related pain.
