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NHS stay well this winter

How to stay well this winter

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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. Here are some tips to help you stay well this winter.

Top tips to stay well from the NHS

  • Make sure you get your COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination if you are eligible.
  • Keep warm by wrapping up, wearing lots of layers of thin clothes.
  • Stay active by moving around indoors, avoid sitting for more than one hour. Keeping active can also support your mental health.
  • Keep the heat in by drawing your curtains at dusk and keeping doors closed to block draughts. Try and heat rooms you regularly use to at least 18°C and keep your windows closed at night. Make sure you’re getting the help you’re entitled to with heating costs.
  • Use a hot water bottle or an electric blanket to keep warm in bed – but don’t use both at the same time.
  • Have at least one hot meal a day. Eating regular meals and drinking hot beverages can help you keep warm.
  • Look after your mental health by speaking to someone – a friend, family member or healthcare professional, like your doctor – if you are feeling down. Check out the NHS website for support on where to get urgent mental health support.
  • Make sure you have the right medicines at home in case you get poorly. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water:
    • When you get home or into work;
    • After you blow your nose, sneeze or cough; and
    • Before you eat.
  • If you get ill, rest and keep warm, drink lots of liquids, have at least one hot meal each day and take the tablets you have been recommended by a healthcare professional.

If you get ill

  • If you think you need medical help right now, call 111 by phone or use NHS 111 online.
  • If it is a real emergency and life-threatening, then you can call 999.
  • If it’s less urgent contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Look out for others

  • Keep in touch with your friends, neighbours and family and ask if they need any practical help, or if they’re feeling under the weather.
  • Make sure they’re stocked up with enough food supplies for a few days, in case they can’t go out.
  • If they do need to go out in the cold, encourage them to wear shoes with a good grip and a scarf around the mouth to protect them from the cold air, and to reduce their risk of chest infections.
  • Make sure they get any prescription medicines before the holiday period starts and if bad weather is forecast.
  • If you’re concerned about someone’s health or safety, call NHS 111 for health advice, or 999 in an emergency.

Download the NHS stay well this winter leaflet

Download the NHS stay well this winter easy read leaflet

Need more advice?

Read more tips on keeping well this winter at the NHS website.

 

Tell us about your Covid booster

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Rising cost of living – local resources

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The rising cost of living is having an effect on households and organisations across the country. With energy bills rising, it can be difficult to afford household bills, food and other living expenses.

VONNE – Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East – has put together a list of useful resources and information to explain more about the rising cost of living with tips on how to reduce your bills and stay safe this winter.

VONNE Cost of Living resources

 

Qwell

Online event – Qwell

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Join us on Friday 11 November to hear from Andrew Poinen, Engagement Lead for Kooth and Qwell.

In this free, online public event Andrew will provide an overview of Qwell, the online service available for adults aged 18 and over in Northumberland which provides free, safe and anonymous mental health and wellbeing support.

We will hear what it involves, how to access it and there will be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: bit.ly/Qwell-event-Nov22

This event has now passed

GP

Share your experiences of GP referrals

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Have you been referred by your GP practice to a specialist for tests, diagnosis or treatment? Or have you expected or requested a referral but didn’t get one? We’d like to hear about your experiences to help the NHS understand what is working and what could be better.

The survey will only take a few minutes of your time and any information you share will be anonymised.

What is a GP referral?

It’s when a GP or other medical professional at a GP practice sends you to a specialist at a hospital or community clinic for further tests, diagnosis or treatment. Your GP could make a referral for many reasons, such as a hip replacement, MRI scan, physio, mental health services, endoscopy and more. A referral can happen during a phone or face-to-face appointment.

Tell us about your experiences

Royal Osteoporosis Society online event

Online event – Royal Osteoporosis Society

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Join us on Friday 14 October, 1pm-2pm, to hear a presentation from Janet Boyd, a volunteer from the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

In this free, online public event Janet will provide an overview of osteoporosis, including signs and symptoms, risk factors, effects of osteoporosis and how to maintain good bone health.

We will also hear about local and national Royal Osteoporosis Society services, including support for people with osteoporosis and their carers, how to access advice and information and opportunities for volunteering. There will be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: bit.ly/ROS-October-22

Share your views about GP referrals

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Have you or your loved one struggled to get a GP referral for tests or treatment?

Healthwatch England has been hearing from the public about how hard it can be to get a GP practice referral to another NHS service, and they would like to hear about your experiences.

GPs are the first point of call for many health issues and the gateway to specialist support. But with many GP surgeries stretched thin and under pressure, NHS decision-makers need to understand if people are finding it difficult to get the right help.

Examples of services your GP can refer you to include:

  • Scans or tests for a diagnosis of a condition or health issue
  • Mental health support
  • Surgery for knees, hips and eyes
  • Support like physiotherapy for back pain or arthritis
  • Non-urgent heart problems
  • Wellbeing services, like smoking cessation or diabetes management.

The impact of delayed referrals

GP referrals affect people of every age group, every background, and every region across the country. Some of the things patients have said include:

  • People feel like their symptoms are dismissed
  • They have to try multiple times before they’re successful
  • They are left in the dark about how serious their condition is.

Share your views

As the independent champion of health and social care services, we want to hear your experiences of trying to get specialist NHS support, like physiotherapy, talking therapies, hospital scans and consultations.

By sharing your story, we can use your feedback to help the NHS better understand your challenges and improve how people access the care they need.

Find out more about GP referrals

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Family by the sea

Have your say on Northumberland’s Family Hubs

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Northumberland’s Children’s Centres will relaunch as Family Hubs in Autumn 2022 and residents are being asked for their views to help shape the plans.

The Children’s Centres currently provide a wide range of support services for children aged 0-5 and their families. As Family Hubs, this support will be rolled out to all young people extending the age range to 0-19 and to 25 for anyone with additional needs.

The Hubs will be in the heart of their communities, with midwives, health visitors, early years and mental health professionals, youth workers, and a host of other services – including relationship, parenting, and financial advice – brought together into a one-stop-shop that meets the needs of family life for young people of all ages.

Family Hubs will build on lessons learned during the pandemic and will offer online and virtual services too, so that support can be accessible in the right way, and the right place, at the right time.

 

Online Event – Asthma+Lung UK

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Join us on Friday 12 August, 1pm-2pm to hear a presentation from Nick Powell from Asthma+Lung UK.

In this free, online public event Nick will provide a brief overview of asthma, COPD, mesothelioma and other lung conditions.

We will also hear about the national and local support available from Asthma+Lung UK. There will be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: bit.ly/Asthma-Lung-event

 

This event has now passed.

Have your say on diabetic eye screening

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NHS England would like to hear from people with diabetes and those who support them, about their views on diabetic eye screening and how to improve the service in the future.

The Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) aims to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst those living with diabetes by early identification and effective treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

The screening programme invites anyone with diabetes aged 12 years or over for digital eye screening once a year. Your views will help shape the way the screening programme is delivered going forward.

Fill in the survey

You can also give your views for improving the service by emailing: Trudie.metcalfe@nhs.net

All feedback should be submitted by Saturday 6 August 2022.

Read more about diabetic eye screening (including Easy Read)

If you would like to tell us about any diabetes or eye health services you have used recently please get in touch.

Events

Here To Hear drop-in Morpeth August 2023

Drop-in session Bedlington

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Drop-in session Bedlington August 2023

Call in to our monthly Here to Hear drop-in sessions and speak with one of our friendly team, in confidence, about your experiences of care services. You can also find out more about local services with our free Information and Signposting Service and pick up one of our fantastic giveaways! Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at East Bedlington Community Centre, 16-17 Station Road, Bedlington NE22 7JN on the first Friday of the month, 10.00am – 12.00pm.

We also hold Here to Hear sessions in Blyth, Prudhoe and Morpeth. Full details of all of our drop-in sessions

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Online event – Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

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Join us to hear from Cathryn Appleby, Professional Adviser at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy as she gives us an overview of the physiotherapy profession in the UK and their Stronger My Way Hub – a ‘one stop shop’ of physio-approved reliable advice and insight about strength, suitable for both healthcare professionals and the public.

The UK Chief Medical Officer’s guidance on physical activity recommends doing strengthening activities at least twice a week, but research shows too few people meet what has become known as ‘the forgotten guideline’.

The Stronger My Way Hub offers resources for the public to maintain and improve strength, including information for people living with stroke, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain. Professionals can also access a range of strengthening resources to help empower patients to become stronger.

There will be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: bit.ly/HWN-online-event-physiotherapy-May-23

SeaFit health drop-in event in Amble

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We’re joining the Fishermen’s Mission‘s health drop-in event in Amble on Wednesday 31 May, 1pm-3pm. SeaFit events bring together organisations providing health information and health screening for fishermen and the wider community.

Call by and pick up some information, leave feedback about using health and social care services and grab yourself some of our giveaway items.

Also there on the day will be an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and/or HCA, health and wellbeing coaches, First Contact physiotherapy, a mental health practitioner, pharmacy technician, and a Social Prescribing Link Worker.

As well as health information and advice, there will be fun family activities provided by Hadston Family Hub. See you there!

Healthwatch Northumberland drop-in sessions July 2023

Drop-in session Prudhoe

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Healthwatch Northumberland drop-in session Prudhoe July 2023

Call in to our monthly Here to Hear drop-in sessions and speak with one of our friendly team, in confidence, about your experiences of care services. You can also find out more about local services with our free Information and Signposting Service and pick up one of our fantastic giveaways! Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at the Spetchells Centre, Prudhoe, NE42 5AA on the third Thursday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

We also hold Here to Hear sessions in Berwick, Blyth, Bedlington and Morpeth. Full details of all of our drop-in sessions

 

Healthwatch Northumberland drop-in sessions July 2023

Drop-in session Blyth

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Call in to our monthly Here to Hear drop-in sessions and speak with one of our friendly team, in confidence, about your experiences of care services. You can also find out more about local services with our free Information and Signposting Service and pick up one of our fantastic giveaways! Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at Blyth Community Hub, Unit 6, Keel Row Shopping Centre, Blyth on the third Wednesday of the month, 10am – 12pm.

We also hold Here to Hear sessions in Berwick, Bedlington, Prudhoe and Morpeth. Full details of all of our drop-in sessions

 

 

Healthwatch Northumberland drop-in sessions July 2023

Drop-in session Berwick

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Healthwatch Northumberland drop-in session Berwick July 2023

Call in to our monthly Here to Hear drop-in sessions and speak with one of our friendly team, in confidence, about your experiences of care services. You can also find out more about local services with our free Information and Signposting Service and pick up one of our fantastic giveaways. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre, TD15 2AS on the second Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

We also hold Here to Hear sessions in Bedlington, Blyth, Prudhoe and Morpeth. Full details of all of our drop-in sessions

 

 

 

Healthwatch Northumberland drop-in sessions July 2023

Drop-in session Bedlington

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Drop-in session Bedlington June 2023

Call in to our monthly Here to Hear drop-in sessions and speak with one of our friendly team, in confidence, about your experiences of care services. You can also find out more about local services with our free Information and Signposting Service and pick up one of our fantastic giveaways! Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at East Bedlington Community Centre, 16-17 Station Road, Bedlington NE22 7JN on the first Friday of the month, 10.00am – 12.00pm.

We also hold Here to Hear sessions in Berwick, Blyth, Prudhoe and Morpeth. Full details of all of our drop-in sessions

Please note this session has been moved from 7 July to 30 June for this month only.

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Here to Hear drop-in – Prudhoe Spetchells Centre

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Here to Hear:
Our free and confidential drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us in confidence about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service to find out more about local services and support. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at the Spetchells Centre, Prudhoe, NE42 5AA on the third Thursday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

Here to Hear sessions

Monthly drop-ins

Here to Hear Drop-in – Blyth Community Hub

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions, in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-ins are a chance for residents to tell us in confidence about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at Blyth Community Hub, Unit 6, Keel Row Shopping Centre, Blyth on the third Wednesday of the month, 10am – 12pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Monthly drop-ins

Here To Hear Drop-in – Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions, in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us in confidence about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre, TD15 2AS on the second Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions