Sometimes, even though people live healthily by: Eating a balanced diet Drinking Water Resting Exercising Keeping Clean we can still become ill. This is because micro-organisms are attacking our bodies all the time.

Sometimes people need to see a doctor. The doctor works at the Health Centre or Surgery. Some work in Hospitals. Everyone should be registered with a doctor (and dentist)! It takes many years to train to be a doctor. The doctor can be a lady or a man. The doctor will check you all over. Sometimes they will look inside your mouth. They might listen to your chest with a stethoscope.

A stethoscope helps a doctor listen to your heart, breathing, or digestive system. They also use them to listen to a baby’s heartbeat when in the mother’s womb.

The doctor The doctor will look at your notes. Then he or she will give your parents a piece of paper. What is this called? What do you do with it?

Medicine comes with a label saying how often and how much to take for how long. It ALWAYS has the patient’s name on it.

Asthma Inhalers These are prescribed and each person has a medical plan – so they can be brought in to school. They must be taken on school trips, or an asthmatic can’t go.

Some medicine does not have a person’s name on it. It is bought from a chemist or pharmacy by an adult for use at home.

Can my parents give me these to bring into school?

Hay-fever medication and pain killers are also not allowed in school. A Travel sickness pill can be given to a teacher for the way home when on a school trip – but the medicine form still needs signing and another member of staff is a witness that the medicine was taken.

Medicines can help you BUT Medicines can harm you if they are NOT used PROPERLY

Medicines can look like sweeties!! NEVER Put anything in your mouth that you are unsure of

When used properly medicines will help you get better You must read the label carefully. Follow the instructions. Take the correct dose. IF YOU DO NOT USE MEDICINES PROPERLY YOU MAY MAKE YOURSELF WORSE WARNING YOU COULD EVEN DIE Medicines are DRUGS

A Safe Place to Keep Medicines? Medicines should be kept in a First Aid Kit - preferably in a locked or high-up cupboard. Talk to your parents about the other ways they help to keep YOU and other children who visit your home, safe.

REMEMBER… Be safe around medicines …AND… Keep clean Eat a balanced diet and drink water Exercise regularly Have plenty of rest… … and you will have a better chance of staying healthy.