Local NHS supporting parents through Self-Care week ‘Practise Self Care for Life’ is the theme for this year’s Self-Care Week (15-21 November)

An annual UK-wide national awareness week that focuses on embedding support for self-care across communities, families and generations.

In addition to helping people look after their own health, Self-Care Week is also used to promote better use of the NHS by signposting people to the right service relevant to their health needs – in particular, signposting people to pharmacy for accessible health care and advice.

As part of the many activities taking place across mid and south Essex, an Instagram Live will take place on Wednesday, 17 November at 6:30pm. The session will cover some top tips to help any parent self-care for their child or children if they are unwell through the winter months. The live broadcast will cover what services are available to help, advice on what you should keep in a medicine cabinet and how to use the Essex Child Health app.

It will be hosted by local mum of two, Jenna Chapman, (@_the.mini.mum¬_) with local guest GP, Dr Alex Shaw, providing clinical advice.

Jenna said: “The purpose of the Instagram live will be to provide parents with some really useful practical tips and advice on self-caring for their child during the winter months, when flu and colds are particularly prevalent. It’s really useful for parents to feel confident in how to self-care for their child and to also be aware of the range of services available to them for support. I’m looking forward to lots of positive interaction and the chance to engage with local parents in the area”.

Dr Alex Shaw, a GP based at Highlands Surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, said: “Self-care includes many health conditions, from coughs, colds and flu to self-care for longer term conditions.

“It’s about raising awareness and giving confidence to parents about how they can safely treat minor ailments and what to keep in their medicine cabinet to help both parents and children to stay well. It’s important that parents know which services and information resources are available when children fall ill.”

To watch the Instagram live follow @ msessex_hcp.