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Pharmacy First
Pharmacists can now provide treatment for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.
Highly trained pharmacists at over 90% of pharmacies can now assess and treat patients for earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64 – without the need for a GP appointment. No appointment is necessary and private consultations are available. Patients will be signposted to other local services where necessary.
Reasonable adjustments
Did you know you can ask for reasonable adjustments to help you get the most out of healthcare appointments? Reasonable adjustments are small changes that can help people with a disability or health condition with a big or long-term effect on their lives to be treated equally. This could include having a carer present at appointments or being communicated with in a specific way.
If you have a disability or a long-term health condition and would like a reasonable adjustment, ask your healthcare provider for more information.
Patient involvement opportunities
If you would like to get directly involved with service providers, there are a number of opportunities to contribute to the development of local health and care services.
From Patient Participation Groups to online communities, there is something to suit everyone.
Shingles vaccines 2023
From 1 September 2023, a free shingles vaccination is being offered to the following people:
- healthy people aged 70 to 79 years who have not yet been vaccinated
- people aged 50 years and over with a severely weakened immune system
- healthy people aged 60 to 70 years will become eligible for the vaccine over the next 5 years, when they turn 65 or 70 years
Please wait to be contacted by your GP practice to be offered an appointment.
Autumn flu jabs 2023
If you’re aged 65 or over you are eligible for a free NHS flu jab this autumn. You may also be eligible if you have a health condition that makes you clinically at risk, are pregnant, or are a carer or frontline worker.
People aged 50-64 will not be eligible for a free flu jab this season unless clinically vulnerable. You can book a flu jab at your local pharmacy now or wait for your GP to contact you. If you do not qualify for a free jab you can still pay for one at a pharmacy. Please get in touch if you would like further information.
Help with prescription costs
The cost of living crisis has put many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some can afford. Find out what help is out there to help you cover the cost of your medication.
BSL Health Navigators
Findaway
The Findaway project is for you if you’re worried someone you know is being controlled, scared, or hurt by their partner, ex-partner or a family member.
Findaway can offer you support, information and other tools to effectively help the people you care about. Call the anonymous phoneline: 0300 140 0061 or visit the website.
Making a complaint
How you make a complaint about primary care services in Northumberland is changing on 1 July 2023. After this date if you want to make a complaint about primary care services to the commissioner you will contact the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Integrated Care Board instead of NHS England.
The Blue Book
The 2023 Blue Book of Dementia Support and Services is out now. The Blue Book gives a summary of support for older people and those living with dementia in Northumberland.
You can view or download The Blue Book below. Please get in touch if you would like a copy in the post.
The Blue Book: Dementia support and activities in Northumberland
Reading for wellbeing
To find a group near you email: read@northumberland.gov.uk or join the ‘Reading for wellbeing Northumberland’ Facebook group.
Guides to staying in hospital
How to stay well this winter
Winter conditions present an increased risk to our health, especially if you are older or have a long-term health condition such as heart or kidney disease, asthma or diabetes.
Being cold can raise the risk of increased blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. The cold, damp weather can aggravate existing health problems, making you more vulnerable to respiratory winter illnesses.
Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme
If you’re referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).
999 BSL emergency service
999 BSL is a new service that connects deaf people to British Sign Language Interpreters remotely through an app or a web-based platform, who then will relay the conversation with the call handler and emergency authorities.
There are two ways to reach the emergency services through 999 BSL:
- iOS and Android App (on a smartphone or tablet)
- Web-based (www.999bsl.co.uk)
Tips on how to reduce loneliness
Loneliness can affect people of all ages. As we get older, we can be presented with many challenges in our lives that can lead to loneliness. A loss of a partner, family, or friends, retirement, illness or moving into different accommodation.
Mental Health Foundation has created the following tips to help reduce loneliness in later life.
When is a good time to check in with a young person?
Sometimes, it can feel difficult to know when to check in with a young person about how they are feeling. You might feel like you need to get the timing ‘perfect’ but any time can be a good time. Young Minds suggests some times that might be good to start a conversation. Remember, before checking in with a young person, check in with yourself – are you ready to have this conversation?
More information at the Young Minds website.
Latest Coronavirus Information
Out of hours healthcare
Integrated Wellbeing Service
How can your pharmacy help you?
Did you know that pharmacies provide advice and information on minor illnesses and ailments?
Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals who can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses. The pharmacist will let you know if you need to visit a doctor, but they can help you with a number of things first.
Top tips for getting the most out of your GP appointment
One of the main things we hear from the public is getting a GP appointment can be tricky. And when you do get an appointment, the time you get to talk to your doctor can be limited. Healthwatch England has pulled together some top suggestions to help you make the most of your appointment slot.
Acorns domestic abuse support
If you are worried about an abusive relationship you can text 07712 862 858 or call 0191 349 8366 (Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 6pm or Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm).
Do It For Yourself
We are supporting the #DoItForYourself initiative which helps raise awareness around the symptoms of lung cancer and the importance of early diagnosis. If you’ve noticed any signs of lung cancer, such as breathlessness or a cough lasting for more than three weeks, contact your GP practice to get checked out.
Osteoarthritis support
Ask for ANI
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, you can ask for ‘ANI’ in any participating pharmacy. ANI stands for Action Needed Immediately but is pronounced ‘Annie’. If a pharmacy has the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo on display, it means they are ready to help you.
If you need support for domestic abuse you can contact Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services (NDAS) on 01434 608 030 Monday to Friday.
Get moving with diabetes
If you or a loved one has diabetes, this handy guide from Diabetes UK can help you get more active.
Find out why it is important to move more when you have diabetes and learn ways to include different types of activity into your daily life. There’s also space to track your progress over a 10-week journey.
Read it here: bit.ly/diabetes-movingmore
Active at home
This guide has been developed to support older people and those who are shielding to be active and healthy at home during the coronavirus pandemic. There are exercises and activities that can be done in or around the home to help improve your physical and mental health.
How fit today
If your goal is to improve your fitness, check out How Fit Today from the NHS for simple exercises and motivation.
Exercise can improve your mood, reduce stress and boost energy.
Stay safe, warm and well
We Are Undefeatable
Where to go for care
Which? elderly care
The Which? elderly care guide gives free, independent and practical advice about caring for older people across the UK, helping you understand elderly care choices. There are sections on: your relative’s needs – understand how to deal with common concerns about elderly parents and other relatives, including dementia and falls; housing options – find out about care homes and living independently options, including sheltered accommodation and choosing mobility aids; financing care – learn about funding options for care homes and home care together with gifting assets, power of attorney and attendance allowance, plus information for carers – find out what support is available to help you through an emotionally draining time.
GP extended hours
Local GP practices are working together to offer patients better access to GP appointments in Northumberland. Patients can now see a GP at a time which is convenient to them, with additional appointments available on weekday evenings and weekends.
The new service is being provided from 6.30pm Monday to Friday, with some access will be provided at weekends. GP practices in the county are working together to deliver the additional appointments and each practice will provide specific information on the seven locations in Northumberland where patients can access the appointments.
For more information, ask your GP practice.
What to consider when choosing a care home
Choosing a care home and working out how to pay for it can be complex. If you’re considering a move to a care home, make sure you have as much information as possible about what to look for, where to look and how to make the move as easy as possible. Independent Age has some useful information for consideration.
Clubs and support groups for the visually impaired
Holiday first aid kit
Summer health and self care
Peaks in visits to the GP, urgent care centres and A&E during the summer months are seen to be linked with people experiencing a variety of seasonal ailments, such as sunstroke, allergies, minor injuries and food poisoning.
It’s much quicker to look after yourself if you have a common complaint; visit a local pharmacist for confidential advice and treatment to put you on the fast track to feeling better; there’s no need for a prescription or an unnecessary A&E wait.
How are YOU?
A ten minute quiz from the NHS giving you a personalised health score,designed only to point you in the right direction. It’s not a medical assessment – if you’re worried about your health you should speak to a health professional.
Care home checklist
Finding the right care home for you or your loved one can be a tricky issue. There are some key things that you need to think about before taking the next steps and Age Uk has produced a guide to help you through the process.
Health Trainers
Health trainers offer a friendly and professional free service to anyone over 16 living in Northumberland and North Tyneside. They can help you stay healthy by offering advice and information on eating a balanced diet, getting more exercise, giving up smoking and controlling alcohol intake. Find out more.
Blood pressure quiz
High blood pressure is sometimes called the silent killer, as it often has no symptoms but can significantly increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia. Use this tool to find out how much you know.
Men’s Health Forum
The Men’s Health Forum is a charity supporting men’s health in England, Wales and Scotland. The forum carries out research, provide health information and advice and raise awareness through intiatives such as Men’s Health Week.