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Riverside Medical Centre
Health A to Z
Your complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.
Medicines A to Z
Find out how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.
NHS Care and Support
There's some help and support you can get for free that's available to everyone.
It's not means-tested and it does not matter what your income is.
This free care includes:
- some equipment and home adaptations
- benefits
- help after coming home from hospital
- NHS continuing healthcare
- nursing in a care home (NHS-funded nursing care)
NHS Live Well
NHS advice about healthy living, including eating a balanced diet, healthy weight, exercise, quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol.
Non-urgent advice: Pharmacist
When you need help with your medication or healthcare advice regarding minor illnesses.
Non-urgent advice: Optician
New problems with your eyes such as blurred vision, red eyes, dry eyes.
Non-urgent advice: Dentist
For problems with your mouth or teeth, toothache should always be seen by your dentist rather than your GP
Urgent advice: NHS Out of Hours
When local GP and Pharmacy are closed
Urgent advice: Minor Injuries
Please make use of the pharmacy and the minor injuries unit, please check with reception if we have available appointments with a nurse.
We are not a walk in service and may suggest you need to attend the Emergency Department at your local hospital.
Immediate action required: Emergencies
When an accident or illness is serious or life threatening.
For chest pains or possible strokes please call 999
Online Symptom Checker
Have a problem but unsure of what to do, try the online symptom checker for advice on the best way to seek help.
Weight Loss Injections
Weight loss injections, like tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Wegovy), are available on the NHS, but with specific eligibility criteria and through specialist weight management services. These injections are not available to everyone and require a referral from your GP after meeting the criteria (criteria as of April 2025).
You may be eligible for this service if:
• You are 18 years or older.
• You live in the Mid and South Essex (MSE) area or are registered with a GP in that area.
• Your GP refers you to the programme (we cannot accept self-referrals).
• Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is 40 or higher. You can work out your BMI via https://www.nhs.uk/.../calculate.../calculate-bmi-for-adults
You also need to have at least one of the following health conditions:
• Sleep-related breathing problems (such as obstructive sleep apnoea) or need to use a CPAP machine
• Severe asthma, heart or lung problems (like cor pulmonale or obesity-related low oxygen levels)
• Heart conditions (like heart failure or a history of heart disease) or a high risk of heart disease (QRISK score over 20%)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Fertility problems
• Digestive problems like oesophagitis, severe acid reflux, or Barrett’s oesophagus
Other things you should know:
• You must be ready and willing to make lifestyle changes. This will be assessed during the referral process.
• You should have completed a Tier 2 weight management programme (a less intensive programme) in the last 12 to 24 months, unless it's not suitable for you.
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Who Cannot Join the Programme?
You will not be eligible if:
• You are under 18 years old
• You are pregnant or currently breastfeeding
• You have an active eating disorder
• You have had weight-loss (bariatric) surgery in the last 12 months
• You have pre-diabetes and are better suited for the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
• You have already completed this type of programme (Tier 3) in the last 2 years
• You are currently experiencing unstable alcohol or drug use (you may be referred once this is under control).
If you feel you meet the criteria please book a GP appointment. For access to other NHS weight management services please have a look at: http://www.essexwellbeingservice.co.uk/.../weight.../
Weight Loss Injections and Oral Contraception / HRT
All women taking GLP-1 agonists should use contraception.
o Those taking tirzepatide (Mounjaro) (but not semaglutide (Wegovy)) should switch to a non-oral method, or add a barrier method, for four weeks after initiation and
four weeks after each dose increase.
o Those using oral contraception who experience vomiting or severe
diarrhoea as a side-effect should follow existing
recommendations.
If you are using weight loss
injections these may have an impact on the effectiveness of your HRT to
adequately protect your endometrium (womb lining). Please do contact the
practice for a review so that we can discuss potential alternatives.
This is only if you are taking tablets for your HRT either for the oestrogen or progesterone component.
Paracetamol in Pregnancy
Paracetamol Use in Pregnancy
Information for patients
Why this matters
Many people use paracetamol in pregnancy to treat pain or fever. Recently, studies have
looked at whether taking paracetamol in pregnancy might affect a child's brain
development.
What the research shows
Some studies suggest that frequent or long-term use of paracetamol in pregnancy may be
linked to a slightly higher chance of conditions like autism or ADHD in children. One study
even measured paracetamol in umbilical cord blood and found higher levels were linked
with a higher risk. However, other strong studies (including those comparing siblings) did
not find a clear link. This means: research shows a possible association, but it does not
prove cause and effect.
Why paracetamol is still recommended
Fever in pregnancy can be harmful to the baby if not treated. Paracetamol is considered
the safest option for pain and fever relief in pregnancy. Other medicines (such as
ibuprofen) can have known risks in pregnancy. Expert bodies (such as the Royal College
of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and NICE) still recommend paracetamol as the first
choice.
Safe use in pregnancy
• Use paracetamol only if needed.
• Take the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.
• Always follow the instructions on the packaging or those given by your healthcare
professional.
• If you find yourself taking paracetamol regularly (for example, every day), please speak
with your midwife, GP, or pharmacist.
Other ways to manage discomfort
• For headaches: hydration, rest, cool cloths.
• For muscle aches: gentle stretching, warm baths, heat/cold packs.
• For fever: fluids, light clothing, and medical review if the fever is high or persistent.
Bottom line
Occasional, short-term use of paracetamol in pregnancy is still considered safe and
appropriate. Use it wisely, and talk to your healthcare team if you have concerns or need
to use it often. Never avoid treating a fever in pregnancy — controlling fever is important
for your baby's health.
Questions?
Please ask your midwife, GP, or pharmacist if you would like more personalised advice
Page last reviewed: 23 September 2025
Page created: 28 February 2025
Page created: 28 February 2025