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Supporting Women’s Health Through Every Stage
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Dorset General Practice Alliance asks local people to share views on self care needs
The Dorset General Practice Alliance have launched a survey asking people in the county how confident they feel about managing their own health, when to self-treat illnesses and the type of information people find useful.
The Alliance, which represents all general practice surgeries in the county, will use this information to help surgeries better understand the support patients need for feeling well and knowing what to do with minor illnesses.
The survey goes live today, Monday 18 November 2024, which is also the start of National Self Care Week, an awareness week organised by the Self Care Forum. This year, the week focuses on promoting ‘Mind and Body’ self care for ‘communities, families and generations’.
Ian Gall, Patient and Public Lead at the Alliance said, “We want people to know what to do when they feel unwell. This might be managing symptoms of a minor illness at home, coping with a long-term health condition or generally wanting to feel healthier in everyday life.
“This survey will help general practice surgeries get a sense of what their population needs in the way of support and help them focus their efforts on the right things.
“We would be grateful if local people could complete our short, confidential survey. It should only take about five minutes. All answers are anonymous, and you could help to make a positive difference to healthcare services.”
People will have until 18 January 2025 to give their views to the Alliance.
Follow this link to share your thoughts on self care in Dorset>>
Help Us, Help You - Face or Arm or Speech, at the first sign, it’s Time to call 999
A stroke strikes every five minutes. Every year in the UK, there are around 100,000 strokes, causing 38,000 stroke-related deaths, and it is a leading cause of disability.
The first sign of a stroke might not seem serious. Like not being able to raise your arm, or struggling to smile, or slurring when you speak.World Menopause Day - 18th October 2024
October 18th is World Menopause Day, which is held annually to raise awareness of menopause and to support options to improve health and well-being for women in midlife and beyond. The theme for World Menopause Day 2024 is "Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)".
The UK based International Menopause Society has created an information leaflet on “The 5 Ws of Menopause Hormone Therapy” – a practice guide to learn more about MHT (traditionally called Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT). Download a copy of the guide here>>
The Society has also developed a website for women to provide reliable information about menopause and mid life women’s health from the world’s leading experts.
Follow this link to visit their website>>
Could you, or someone you know, be msising out on Pension Credit?
A friend or family member aged 66 or over could be missing out on Pension Credit.
Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. It provides financial support and they could get additional help such as the Winter Fuel Payment. It gives you extra money to help with living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income or savings or own your own home.
For more information on how to apply, download this flyer from the Department of Works and Pension>>
Autumn Cancer Awareness Campaign - Know the Signs
We are supporting Wessex Cancer Alliance with their awareness campaign, ‘Know the Signs’. The aim of this campaign is to improve people’s awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer.
1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, but so it is really important to know what signs to look out for and when to seek advice from your GP Practice.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Cancer include:
- A new lump/bump that wasn’t there before
- Sudden, unexplained weight loss
- Blood in your poo or your urine
- Feeling tired all the time
- Breathlessness
- Bloating/swelling
- Changes to your skin
9 times out of 10 your symptoms will not mean you have cancer. It is better to know as early as possible so you can either rule out cancer or get the treatment you need quickly.
For further information and links to advice and support please visit the dedicated Cancer Matters Wessex website using the link below>>
Know your Numbers - Check your Blood Pressure at Home with Viso
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccinations
Have you used a digital health tool or app?
If you have used a digital health tool or app, like the NHS App or Viso BP@Home and are a resident of Dorset, the NHS wants to hear from you!
How will your story be used?
Your stories help us raise awareness of these life-changing tools and improve our services. They may be featured on NHS Dorset platforms, shared in communications, and used in marketing to promote our digital services.
To learn more and share your experiences, please follow this link>>
Prescribing over the counter medicines - #HelpYourNHS
In line with NHS England recommendations, NHS Dorset has asked GP teams across the county to stop prescribing medicine and treatment for 35 minor conditions. Medications for these conditions are readily available at your local pharmacy or supermarket.
This will release thousands of hours of clinical time to enable your GP Practice to focus on caring for people with more complex needs, increasing patient access.
Find out more about this by downloading and viewing the patient information leaflet here>>
Or visit the NHS Dorset website: https://nhsdorset.nhs.uk/health/medicines/helpyournhs/
Carers Week is 10th through 16th June 2024
Do you support someone who could not manage without your help due to their disability, mental ill health, frailty, or substance misuse?
If yes, then you are a carer!
As an unpaid carer, taking the first step to ask for help can be overwhelming. It's easy to feel like you don't deserve support, as you're just doing what any loving family member would do. But the reality is that caregiving can quickly become a full-time job. It is stressful and can leave you feeling completely overwhelmed and isolated.
We want unpaid carers to know they are not forgotten and they are not alone. Your GP will support your ongoing medical needs, but additional support services are available to everyone, particularly carers, who face many challenges in their crucial role.
Find your support through Community SWITCH – a groundbreaking initiative developed to enhance local people's overall health and quality of life, including those who care for others.
Parks in Mind: courses and activities to help improve your health and wellbeing
Parks in Mind provides fun nature conservation and other outdoor activities in Bournemouth’s beautiful parks and open spaces to deliver health and wellbeing benefits to the people taking part. Each month the team publishes a programme of activities including fun wildlife conservation, nature-inspired art and craft, wellbeing, and excerise.
Check out the Parks Foundation website for the latest programme information>>
Or visit their Facebook page for updates.
Look Good Feel Better - Wellbeing workshops and classes for people living with cancer
Empty Medicines Blister Pack Recycling Service
https://www.vowverwood.comMaking a Repeat Prescription Request? Please Only Order What You Need!
Did you know that approximately 1.6 million medicine items are wasted unnecessarily in Dorset every year? We are asking the patients in our network for help to reduce this.
We want people to have the right medicine and care while reducing the amount of medicine waste. If you have enough medicine at home, there’s no need to order more every time. You will still be able to request your medicine again in the future.
The good news is that you can help make a tremendous difference by only ordering what you need.
Thank you to the many people who are already doing this.
Community SWITCH - a Path to Improved Health and Well-being
We and the GP Practices in our network want to do all we can to help you with your well-being needs.
We are excited to introduce a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance local people's overall health and quality of life – Community SWITCH.
As your dedicated healthcare partner, your GP surgery understands that your well-being extends beyond traditional medical care. That's why we're committed to going beyond the ordinary and empowering you with additional tools and opportunities to manage your health effectively.
Follow this link to discover more about the aims of Community SWITCH and how it works>>
You don't have to navigate bereavement alone
Are you recovering from Long COVID?
Online access to GP health records
From November 2023 all patients in our network who are over 16 will be able to view notes and health records. This includes notes from GP surgery appointments, test results, medications, and letters we receive from hospitals. These can be viewed online via the NHS App, NHS website, SystmOnline or the Airmid app. If you don't want your record to be available online, please speak with the Reception or Patient Services team at your surgery. For more, please visit our information web page here>>
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
SAD is a kind of seasonal depression triggered by shorter daylight hours and worsening weather. It impacts one in twenty people every year in the UK. Those who experience SAD often:
- lose interest in everyday activities or hobbies
- find it hard to stay connected with family and friends
- feel anxious or irritable or struggle to go outside
Sound familiar? Then you could be experiencing SAD.
With the clocks going back this weekend and the sun setting earlier, we want to help you care for yourself or someone else experiencing SAD. Healthwatch England have helpful information about SAD and how you can manage it on their website here>>
Vaccine administration for those living with housebound patients
The Crane Valley PCN team are working tirelessly to reach housebound patients and administer their Winter Flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines as soon as possible. However, when our healthcare team visit a housebound patient, they do not offer vaccines to those living with them unless they are also housebound. We ask those who can to receive them at their GP surgery or local vaccination centre. Vaccine supplies are limited, as is our healthcare professional’s time. We must ensure that all eligible housebound patients receive their booster without delays, as they are amongst the most vulnerable. Thank you for your understanding and patience, and be assured that we are dedicated to doing everything we can to protect our community’s health.
Integrated Adult Pan Dorset Advocacy Service now available
SWAN (South West Advocacy Network) is a leading independent advocacy charity – providing advocacy services throughout the south west and bordering counties since 1999. SWAN now offers an Advocacy Service across the county of Dorset.
This integrated adult advocacy service includes statutory and generic advocacy elements including:
- Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy including Safeguarding Advocacy, Litigation Friend and Relevant Persons Representative
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy
- Care Act Advocacy
- General / Generic advocacy
- Continuing Healthcare Advocacy
- Advocacy for parents during care proceedings
- Carers Advocacy
For more information, please follow this link to download and view a leaflet which sets out the advocacy services that they currently offer across Pan Dorset.
Bridgit - the quick and easy online support tool
People who regularly look after a family member or friend can now explore resources to support them using an online tool known as Bridgit. It's quick and easy way for carers or cared for people to learn about health conditions, get personal advice and find local events and services.
Brought to you by Dorset Council, Bridgit allows people to explore free well-being, employment, finance and care advice and events, local and national support services and training opportunities. People can also build their own ‘self-care plan’. It’s all available any time of day and without registering first.
While registering as a carer unlocks more support, a listening ear, offers and discounts, we recognise people can be worried about requesting outside help. With Bridgit, people can discover the resources first, then sign up for more support if they choose to, and this can include an online carer’s assessment.
Designed by carers and care experts, Bridgit resources are tailored to the busy and often stressful lives of people who regularly care for others. It is also designed to be user-friendly, with simple navigation and a clean layout so people can explore comfortably, even with limited digital skills.
Visit www.bridgit.care/support/dorset to access the Bridgit tool. People who prefer not to, or cannot go online, can call Carer Support Dorset on 0800 368 8349 to discover the free support and help available.
The NHS at 75
5 July 2023 marks 75 years of the National Health Service. Treating 1.3 million people a day in England, the NHS touches all our lives. The PCN and the GP Practices in our network are proud to be a small part supporting the people in our local community to obtain, regain and maintain a healthy quality of life.
Read more about the NHS and how its met the health and wellbeing needs of successive generations>>
Important Notice - Verwood Pharmacy situated at Lake Road Surgery, Verwood, will be closing on Sunday 25th June 2023.
More information about this closure is available on our website by following this link>>
The information has been provided by the NHS South West and provides details of how you can nominate a new pharmacy to receive your prescription.
Verwood Pharmacy in Station Road and Morrison’s Pharmacy in Chiltern Drive remain open and are happy to continue providing your pharmaceutical needs should you wish to transfer there.
Improving Access to GP services
Enhanced Access is an NHS term for offering additional appointments in Primary Care.
The Crane Valley PCN website
If you access GP services in Cranborne, Ferndown, Verwood, or West Moors, you may not know about the Crane Valley Primary Care Network (PCN) and its role in delivering accessible local healthcare.
The Crane Valley PCN is a group of 4 local GP practices (The Barcellos Family Practice, The Cranborne Practice, Verwood Surgery and West Moors Group Practice). Whilst each practice has its own identity, through the PCN, these practices work together to build on existing primary care provisions to improve patient access to NHS services cost-effectively.
Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
The Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is a free programme for those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
If you're at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, you may be eligible to join your free local Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. This programme can support you to improve your diet, get more physically active and lose weight (where appropriate) to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
The first thing you need to do is find out if you are at risk of developing the condition. You can do this by using the Diabetes UK risk tool below. You'll be asked a series of questions to identify if you are at a low, moderate or high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Make sure to have a tape measure handy as you'll need to measure your waist. You'll be invited to sign up to your free local Healthier You service if you're at moderate or high risk.
