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A staggering 60 per cent of working people have admitted
that they are likely to take a day off sick in January.
Nearly one in four (23 per cent) of us are anticipating
entering 2004 with the January blues and one in ten
(13 per cent) workers admitted they are already planning
to pull a 'sickie', rising to over a third (34 per cent)
of 16-24 year olds!
These results - from a new survey conducted for the
Consumer Health Information Centre (CHIC) and DPP: Developing
Patient Partnerships - show that many of us who work
are likely to have time off in January for a host of
ailments including
flu (29%), colds (23 per cent), headaches and hangovers
(13 per cent) and stress (12 per cent).
To support the public in dealing with common ailments
at home and at work, CHIC and DPP have teamed up with
Dr. Ian Banks to launch: 'Self-care at home and at work'
booklet which aims to help people get back on their
feet by giving advice on how to handle common ailments
from combating a hangover or handling stress at work
to advice on coughs & colds. The booklet will be
available through DPP member GP practices and will also
be available to the public from the CHIC helpline.
Commenting on the initiative Dr Simon Fradd, Chairman,
DPP said: "Many people waste time seeing their
GP for minor ailments (between 20-40% of a GP's time
is spent consulting on minor ailments for the general
population) particularly during winter, when in fact
there is plenty that people can do for themselves. By
using over-the-counter treatments with advice from pharmacists,
people can feel better quicker without the hassle of
going to the surgery. Pharmacists are experts in medicines
and as a doctor I would recommend my patients get their
advice on how to cope with minor ailments".
Dr Ian Banks, GP and CHIC spokesperson comments: "You
don't need to see your doctor for every medical condition.
Simple health problems can be safely dealt with at home
or work. This booklet shows you how".
For a free booklet on 'Managing
common ailments at home and at work, call the CHIC
helpline on 020 7761 1803.
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