|
Statistics show that a staggering one in four parents
would take their child to A&E if they had a skin
rash or a fever and some parents (3%) even take a child
with a cough to A&E.
These results - from a new survey conducted by the
Consumer Health Information Centre (CHIC) and Developing
Patient Partnerships (DPP) - show that many parents
are unsure who to turn to when their child is taken
ill, with many overestimating the seriousness of the
condition.
Anyone who has a child, or has come in contact with
children knows that they pick up a whole host of ailments
through contact with other children. This is inevitable,
and is an essential step in the formation of a healthy
immune system. However, a parent's perception of the
seriousness of the symptoms plays a large part in where
they seek advice and help.
CHIC and DPP survey results show that over a third
(39%) of parents worry about their child catching ailments
at school with 49% of parents saying it is very likely
that their child will catch something during the school
term. This finding is not unfounded as the survey results
show that in the last year, 43% of children have suffered
from diarrhoea and 85% have caught a cough/cold or flu.
Pharmacists are experts in medicines advice and can
easily deal with these common ailments, but many parents
visit their GP or A&E when their child has a minor
ailment:
- Between 20-40 per cent of a GP's time is spent consulting
on minor ailments for the general population
- 30-40 per cent of A&E attendees are suffering
from a minor illness or minor injury
- 46 per cent of prescriptions from out-of-hours primary
care services (GP visits) are for over the counter
medicines. In this recent survey for children, GPs
say the most common out-of-hours call for GPs is for
the treatment of earache.
Often, for parents, their GP is the first point of
call when their child becomes ill: 64 per cent of parents
would consult their GP if their child got worms for
instance, but most GPs would advise a parent to visit
their pharmacist for treatment and advice.
However, it would appear that when parents are confident
in their diagnosis of a child's ailments, then they
are confident self-treaters: 99 per cent of parents
are happy to treat children's ailments with over-the-counter
remedies. Over a third of parents (38 per cent) prefer
some guidance on children's medications, and this is
readily available in the form of the local pharmacist.
- To support parents dealing
with their child's minor ailments, CHIC and DPP are
launching their 'Managing Minor Ailments' campaign
which includes an information booklet 'Caring
for Kids - a self-care guide to childhood ailments'.
The booklet takes parents through common ailments,
what symptoms to look out for and how to treat the
condition. The campaign will be run through DPP member
GP practices and Primary Care Trusts and the booklet
will also be available from the CHIC helpline.
Dr Ian Banks, GP and CHIC spokesperson comments: "When
children have common problems like coughs, colds and
head-lice, you don't always need to see your GP. Pharmacists
are a great source of advice, can supply a range of
children's remedies and will help you decide if a trip
to the surgery is required".
Commenting on the initiative Dr Simon Fradd, Chairman,
Developing Patient Partnership said: "Knowing what
action to take when their child is ill depends on parents
having a good idea of whether their child's symptoms
are severe or minor. Health professionals play an important
role in helping parents to know what services to use
and how to self care. NHS Direct offers 24 hour advice
on what to do when your child is ill and pharmacists
are an excellent source of expert advice on medicines
and minor ailments."
For a free
booklet on 'Caring for Kids', call the CHIC helpline
on 0207 761 1803 or
download your copy.
|
