Cuts or bleeding wounds
Severe cuts or wounds should be sent to A&E or urgent care centres. This is because they may need more serious interventions or stitches etc that we cannot offer in our surgeries. This includes wounds that need to be washed out - those with something stuck in the wound e.g., grass or dirt.
Local pharmacies are able to provide advice about smaller wounds, and recommend dressings to help simple wounds to heal. These can be bought over the counter.
Nose and mouth bleeding
Most nose bleeding should stop by themselves. Some may need some encouragement to stop - which the patient can do themselves.
This includes:
- sit down and lean forward, with your head tilted forward and your mouth open
- pinch your nose just above your nostrils for 10 to 15 minutes
- breathe through your mouth
Recurrent nose bleeding should be seen by our team, as a patient may need to see an ear nose and throat (ENT) specialist to establish the cause of their recurrent bleeding.
Mouth or gum bleeding is usually from a dental cause. These patients should see a dentist to investigate the cause of the bleeding. See Dental/teeth problems if further questions.
Bruising
Bruising comes in multiple colours, shapes and sizes depending on the injury and/or patients skin colour. Most bruising is not serious and will heal on it’s own.
Please provide the patients with safety netting advice and recommendations for how to manage a simple bruise.