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Support with Gambling
Recognising you may have a problem with gambling is the first and most important step. At Westongrove, we want you to know that you are not alone, and that free, confidential, and effective help is available.
Immediate Help – National Gambling Helpline
If you need to talk to someone right now, the National Gambling Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a free and confidential service that can provide immediate support and advice.
The NHS provides specialist clinics dedicated to helping people with gambling problems. You can self-refer to these services without needing to speak to your GP first.
NHS Southern Gambling Service This is a dedicated NHS service providing specialist assessment, therapy, and support for people affected by gambling addiction. They offer psychological therapies, treatment for other mental health needs, and support for family members.
Who it’s for: Anyone aged 18+ registered with a GP in the South East of England (including Buckinghamshire).
How to refer: You can self-refer easily on their website.
National Charities and Online Resources
These organisations offer a wide range of free support, from self-help tools and online forums to structured therapy and debt advice.
GambleAware An independent charity that funds research, education, and treatment services. Their website is an excellent starting point for understanding gambling harms and finding a wide range of support options across the UK.
Key Features: Information on blocking software, financial support, and a directory of local services.
GamCare The UK’s leading provider of information, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling. They run the National Gambling Helpline and offer free talking therapies, either online, over the phone, or in person.
Key Features: A moderated online forum and chatrooms where you can speak to others with similar experiences.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) A fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
Losing a loved one is a deeply personal and challenging experience. At Westongrove Partnership, we want to extend our sincerest condolences and support to you and your family during this difficult time. This guide provides practical information and links to local bereavement services.
Immediate Steps
When someone dies, there are several practical steps that need to be taken.
1. Obtaining a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
If the person dies at home: Please contact the surgery, the GP will then liaise with the Medical Examiner’s office to issue the MCCD.
If the person dies in hospital: The hospital’s bereavement office will guide you through the process of obtaining the MCCD.
2. Registering the Death
You must register the death within 5 days of the MCCD being issued. You can book an appointment to register the death at a Buckinghamshire registry office.
Locations: The main registry offices are in Aylesbury and Beaconsfield.
3. Informing the Coroner
In some cases, the death may be referred to the coroner. This is a legal requirement if the death was sudden, unexpected, or the cause is unknown. The coroner’s office will provide guidance on the next steps.
Buckinghamshire Coroner Service: You can contact them on 01494 475 505.
Emotional Support and Counselling
Grief is a natural response to loss, and there is no right or wrong way to feel. It is important to be kind to yourself and seek support if you need it.
Local Bereavement Support
Cruse Bereavement Support Buckinghamshire: A national charity with a local branch offering free, confidential support, advice, and information to children, young people, and adults when someone dies.
Children and young people grieve too, and it’s important to support them through their loss.
Winston’s Wish: A charity that provides support for bereaved children and young people.
Hope Again: A website from Cruse Bereavement Support specifically for young people. www.hopeagain.org.uk
We Are Here to Help
The team at Westongrove Partnership is here to support you during this difficult time. Please contact the surgery if you need to speak to a GP or require further information about local bereavement services.
Occupational Therapy (OT) support to live independently
Occupational Therapists help you stay safe, well, and independent at home
What OT can help with
Finding easier ways to do everyday tasks (washing, dressing, cooking, getting in/out of bed or the bath)
Recommending or lending equipment (e.g., grab rails, raised toilet seats)
Advising your carer/family how best to support you
Arranging minor adaptations (e.g., rails) and advising on major adaptations (e.g., ramps, stairlifts)
Signposting to other helpful services and funding routes (e.g., Disabled Facilities Grant)
How to access OT (self-referral)
You can contact Buckinghamshire Council’s Community Occupational Therapy Service for Adults directly to ask for an OT assessment:
Equipment to help me stay independent at home – ideas and advice on useful daily-living aids.
Could I benefit from Occupational Therapy? – helps you decide if OT is right for you.
Useful related links (Buckinghamshire)
Technology to help me live independently (telecare, alarms, sensors)
Support for carers, friends and family (help and advice for unpaid carers)
Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) – information about funding for larger home adaptations.
What to expect
An OT will discuss your goals and any difficulties you’re having at home, then agree a plan with you.
They may arrange equipment, recommend adaptations, and/or point you to other services.
The service aims to keep you independent and well at home, or help you recover after a crisis (e.g., illness, fall or hospital stay)
If you’re unsure where to start
If you’re not sure which option fits your situation, begin with the Council’s main Community Occupational Therapy page (first link above). It explains who OT is for, what it can do, and how to ask for an assessment.
Support in Your Home, Care Home & Nursing Home
This page outlines the support services available in your home, care home, or nursing home, and how to access them locally
What support is available?
1. Home Care & Personal Support
Help with daily activities such as:
Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting)
Meal preparation, feeding or assistance with eating
Support with moving about or transfers
2. Reablement / Short-Term Recovery Care
After illness, falls, or hospital stays, you may be offered temporary rehabilitation support to help you regain independence. The goal is to reduce long-term need for care.
3. Equipment & Adaptations
If you struggle with mobility or everyday tasks, there’s support for:
Mobility aids (walkers, grab rails, raised toilet seats)
Minor home modifications (ramps, handrails, stairgates)
More major adaptations (stairlifts, structural changes)
4. Care Home & Nursing Home Support
For those living in care or nursing homes, there are extra health and social care services available to maintain your wellbeing and manage medical needs.
5. Short Breaks / Respite Care
Temporary placements in care homes or support at home to give carers a rest or cover in emergencies.
Who can access these services?
Anyone living in Buckinghamshire who needs extra help to live safely at home
People discharged from hospital who need short-term help at home
Those already in care homes or nursing homes
Carers who need short breaks or replacement support
You or a family member / carer can request an assessment for care and support.
A Social Worker or Care Assessor will come to your home, care home or nursing home to understand your needs and assess eligibility.
They’ll work out which services best suit you and how support will be delivered.
Find local providers If approved, you may be assigned support from local home care, reablement, or provider services already contracted by the Council.
Review & adjust Support plans are reviewed periodically to ensure they remain appropriate as needs change.
What to expect
Usually, support is means-tested (based on income / assets) for longer-term care, but short-term help or reablement may be free.
You’ll receive a care/support plan outlining what’s being provided, how often, and what you or carers need to do.
If you disagree with decisions (eligibility, level of help) — there’s an appeals and review process through the local authority.
This page explains how patients aged 55 and over can self-refer for a hearing assessment service
Why this matters
Many people over 55 develop age-related hearing loss gradually — you might just notice you’re turning up the TV, asking people to repeat themselves, or finding conversations harder.
Early detection means better support. A hearing test can confirm whether you need hearing aids or other assistance.
In our area, some services already accept self-referrals for people 55+, meaning you don’t need to see your GP first.
What you need to know before referring yourself
Your ears should be clear of wax, and there should be no active ear pain, discharge, dizziness, or rapid hearing loss.
Self-referral is only for age-related hearing changes. If you have sudden hearing loss, persistent pain, or other ear symptoms, please see your GP immediately.
The service will include a hearing assessment, and if hearing aids are appropriate, these are provided via the NHS.
After referral, you’ll generally remain with your audiology provider for at least 3 years for follow-up and support.
Send your completed form via email or post as shown on the form.
For patients needing the service at home, there is a special section on the form.
Once your referral is processed, you’ll be contacted with appointment details. Many providers offer slots within 7 days and no GP referral is required.
Attend your appointment — the audiologist will assess your hearing, explain the results, and decide whether hearing aids or other support are needed.
When to see your GP instead
Please contact us promptly if you have:
Severe dizziness or balance problems
Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
Persistent ear pain, discharge, or infection
Pulsing (tinnitus) in time with your heartbeat
Local Health & Wellbeing Directory
This page links to a directory of local NHS and community services you can access directly to support your health and wellbeing
Bucks Health Services
Looking for support but not sure where to start?
Bucks Health Services – an online directory that lists local services you can access directly, without needing a GP appointment.
This easy-to-use website can help you find:
Mental health and wellbeing support
Local physiotherapy and MSK services
Sexual health clinics
Stop smoking, weight loss and lifestyle programmes
Carer support and social care services
Community groups and charities offering practical help
By visiting the site, you can:
Search services yourself at a time that suits you
Refer yourself directly into many local NHS and community programmes
Learn more about what’s available across Buckinghamshire to support your health and wellbeing
This page provides information about adult vaccines offered at the practice, including eligibility and how to get them
Adult Vaccinations
Vaccinations aren’t just for children. As adults, there are important vaccines that help protect you from serious illness as you get older or if you have certain health conditions.
At Westongrove, we offer a range of adult vaccinations in line with NHS guidance
Which Vaccines You Might Be Offered
Shingles vaccine – protects against shingles and its complications.
Pneumococcal vaccine – helps prevent pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections.
RSV vaccine – protects older adults and those at risk from respiratory syncytial virus.
Seasonal flu vaccine – offered every autumn/winter to people at higher risk.
COVID-19 vaccines/boosters – offered in line with the NHS national schedule.
Checking Your Vaccination Record
You can check which vaccinations you’ve had by logging into the NHS App or NHS Online. This helps you keep up to date and gives you easy access to your records.
Why Vaccines Matter
Reduce the risk of serious illness or hospitalisation
This page explains how to get travel vaccinations and pre-travel health advice through the practice
Travel Vaccinations at Westongrove
Thinking of travelling abroad? We’re here to help.
We provide travel advice and the vaccinations you may need before your trip — whether you’re going somewhere near or far. Some travel vaccines are free through the NHS; others are private / chargeable. Book early so there’s enough time to prepare.
Our Travel Clinics and related travel services will be temporarily suspended from mid January until mid February 2026.
We will be unable to accept or process any travel forms or requests during this time.
Please ensure travel forms are submitted well in advance.
Urgent travel vaccinations can be given at private travel clinics and certain pharmacies if required.
The sooner you contact us, the better — some vaccines need doses spread over weeks.
What our travel service offers
Both NHS (free) travel vaccinations andprivate (charged) vaccinations, depending on your destination, health, and the vaccine required.
Appointments with our specially trained travel nurses.
Yellow Fever Centre: Westongrove (Aston Clinton Surgery) is registered for Yellow Fever vaccination.
How the process works
Complete the Travel Vaccination Advice Form online. Include as much detail as you can (including the country you’re visiting, when you plan to travel, and your vaccine history).
A travel nurse will review your form and estimate which vaccines you need and whether they are free or will incur charges.
You will receive a text message asking you to contact reception to book your appointment. Make sure your mobile number is correctly included.
On booking, the receptionist will be able to access your travel form and inform you of any cost. If we cannot offer you an appointment in time, we will give you a copy of your form so you can take it to another provider
Charges & Shortages
While some travel vaccinations are free, most private travel vaccines will have a cost. Payment will often be needed before your appointment.
There is currently a national shortage of certain vaccines (including [list if known]). We may not always have every vaccine in stock — we’ll advise you of any limitations.
Other important things to check
If your passport name is different from your NHS COVID Pass (or other identity documents), you’ll need to allow time to correct it — this can be needed for travel documentation.
Always check UK government travel advice for health alerts or vaccine requirements for your destination.
Viewing your vaccination history
You can see which vaccinations you’ve already had via your GP records:
This page outlines how Westongrove supports veterans and provides veteran-specific health services and referrals
Westongrove – A Veteran Friendly Practice
We are proud to be Veteran Friendly Accredited, recognising that veterans have unique health needs. Whether you served in the UK Armed Forces we are here to support you with respect, understanding, and access to the services you deserve.
Who counts as a veteran?
You are a veteran (or “ex-service personnel”) if you have served in the UK Armed Forces – Regular or Reserve. This includes the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines, and Merchant Navy. It doesn’t matter how long ago you served.
What you can expect from us
At Westongrove, being a Veteran Friendly Accredited GP Practice means we:
Maintain confidentiality: your service history is shared only with your consent.
Ask new patients (and you, any time you visit) whether you have served in the Armed Forces, or care for someone who has, so we can record this in your notes.
Have a designated Veteran Health Lead—someone trained and up-to-date with evidence about the health needs of veterans.
Provide care that takes into account any physical or mental health issues linked to your service.
Support you with referrals to specialist veteran services when needed.
How you can help us support you
Tell us if you are a veteran or a reservist
Share any Armed Forces medical records you may have.
Let us know about health issues linked to your service — such as injuries, trauma, or long-term conditions.
We know that many veterans do not seek help because they’re worried they won’t be understood. By being veteran-friendly, we aim to:
Improve your access to the right health care sooner
Reduce the need to repeat your “story” to different people
Ensure you get services that are tailored for challenges that sometimes come with service life
NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service
Book a consultation and receive your birth control without the wait for a GP visit!
NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service
If you’re already taking the contraceptive pill—or looking to start for the first time—you can now access it through a confidential consultation at a participating local pharmacy.
The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service offers a convenient and discreet way to get your oral contraceptive pill, without needing to book a GP appointment.
Eligible patients can:
Start or continue the contraceptive pill
Be referred by their GP for an annual pill review
Receive expert advice and ongoing support from trained pharmacists
This service helps you manage your contraception safely, easily, and close to home.
Participating Pharmacy Near You…
Face to Face Consultation
Consult Pharmacy (HP20 1JR) – CLICK HERE to book your appointment!
Wendover Pharmacy (HP22 6EA) – CLICK HERE to book your appointment!
Jardines Pharmacy –CLICK HERE to book your appointment!
Telephone Consultation
Jardines Pharmacy –CLICK HERE to book your appointment! (Have your BP and weight ready)
