Doctors

Going to the Doctor

When you aren't feeling well a doctor can sometimes help.

When you visit the doctor you should:

• Be able to tell the doctor about how you feel.
• Understand what the doctor says to you.
• Have the same rights as anyone else.
• Be told what is happening the whole time.

What you can tell the Doctor

When you see a doctor, they will want to know about how you are ill.

They will ask about your symptoms. Symptoms are how the illness is making your body feel.

Symptoms are things like:

• If your body has pain or hurts anywhere (like a headache or sore stomach).
• If you can't sleep or you are feeling very tired.
• If you feel sick or have been sick.
• If you can't go to the toilet or if you are going all the time.
• If you don't feel like eating anything.
• If your muscles ache or you are stiff.
• If you feel sad or upset.

How long you have been ill

The doctor might want to know how long you have been feeling ill for.

They might ask:

• When you first started to feel ill.
• If your illness has got worse or more painful.
• If you have had anything like this before.

Things that might have caused your illness

• If you have you eaten something that might have made you sick.
• If you have fallen over or injured yourself.
• What were you doing that might have made you sick.
• If you drink a lot of alcohol or take drugs.
• If you have been worried about things.

Other useful things to tell the doctor

If you take any medication

• Tell the doctor about any pills you have taken.
• Remind the doctor about any other pills you are taking.

If you have an illness or disability

• Tell them about any illness you have.
• Tell them about any disability that you have.

What to find out from the doctor

When you go to the doctor ask them to explain things in a way you can understand.
If what the doctor says is confusing ask them to explain it again.
You should find out...

• What the doctor thinks is wrong.
• What can be done about it.
• What you will have to do to get better.
• How long it will take to get better.
• What to do if you aren't getting better.
• Who can help you with any medicine or care while you are sick

Where can I get Health Care?

• At your local Health Centre or Doctors.
• At a Hospital.
• From your Community Nurse.
• From a Dentist.
• Sometimes a Chemist or Pharmacy can help