Asthma Support
Asthma is a common lung condition that affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood.
There are simple treatments that can help keep the symptoms under control so it does not have a big impact on your life.
Asthma + Lung UK and NHS England are working in partnership to support you to make changes so you can live better with your lung condition and help the environment at the same time.
Please visit the Asthma + Lung UK website to find out how to use your inhaler correctly, changing your inhaler and how to dispose of them correctly.
You can also visit the NHS website for further help and advice.
Bowel Screening Information
Please see the videos below for more information about bowel screening.
Carers
Are you looking after or providing support for a relative friend or neighbour? Are you being helped or supported by a relative friend or neighbour?
Your GP needs to know so you can be offered the right information, support and access to services. GP surgeries have to compile information for the government about the numbers of carers attached to the surgery so your information will help them to do this.
We also offer all of our carer’s an annual review and a FREE flu vaccination.
Forward Carers are also able to offer support and advice.
There is more information about help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability on the NHS website.
Cervical Screening Information
Please see the video below for more information about cervical screening
Childhood immunisations
Please use the link below to see a checklist of the vaccines that are routinely offered to everyone in the UK free of charge on the NHS and the ages at which they should ideally be given.
If you’re not sure whether you or your child have had all your routine vaccinations, ask your GP or practice nurse to find out for you. It may be possible to catch up later in life.
Dementia
Recent research conducted with over 1000 people affected by dementia shows symptoms like memory loss are often misconceived and seen as a sign of normal ageing which is sometimes the biggest barrier to people seeking a dementia diagnosis.
With diagnosis rates at a five-year low, tens of thousands of people are now living with undiagnosed dementia. This means they may not have access to the vital care and support that a diagnosis can bring.
The Alzheimer’s Society has produced a symptoms checker which can be a very useful tool for people worried about their memory and who may be seeking a dementia diagnosis
Download and Complete the Dementia Symptoms Checklist on the Alzheimers Society website
Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs
Northfield Hub
Download the Session Timetable Northfield Hub (17th April to 9th July 2023)
Venue: 888 – 890 Bristol Road South Northfield Birmingham B31 2NS 0121 476 4349
For referrals, timetables and more please visit our website: WWW.BIRMINGHAMMENTALHEALTH.ORG.UK
If you would like to take part in any of these sessions, please call 0121 476 4349 for more details.
Details on how to access the group will be given when you call the Hub. Due to limited spaces, unless stated as a Weekly Drop-in, please do not attend the Hub unless you have received a call to confirm your place
Online sessions are available for ‘Improving Confidence and Self Esteem’ and ‘Learning to Relax’
Please call on 0121 475 4349 for details on how to join the group.
Our service is available free of charge to anyone aged 18+ with a GP in Birmingham or Solihull and is under the care of a community mental health team or has a long term mental health diagnosis.
Self help
As well as our practice, there are many other local NHS services you can contact for health advice, information or treatment.
Before you do, remember that you can treat many minor ailments such as colds, coughs and indigestion by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home.
We suggest you keep the following:
- Paracetamol and aspirin (children under 16 and people with asthma should not take aspirin)
- Mild laxatives
- Anti-diarrhoeal medicines
- Rehydration mixture
- Indigestion remedy (for example, antacids)
- Travel sickness tablets
- Sunscreen – SPF15 or higher
- Sunburn treatment (for example, calamine)
- Tweezers and sharp scissors
- A thermometer
- A selection of plasters, non-absorbent cotton wool, elastic bandages and dressings
Remember:
Take all unwanted and out-of-date medicines back to the pharmacy
Keep the medicine chest in a secure, locked place out of reach of small children
Always read the instructions and use the suggested dose
Watch expiry dates – don’t keep or use medicines past their sell-by date
Reminder: Healthier Together
‘We want to share some great health advice for children and young people from the Healthier Together website (what0-18.nhs.uk) Click ‘speak or translate me’ to translate this into other languages. You can find information about common childhood problems, like fever, constipation and head injuries. This is safe advice to keep children healthy. It has been described as having ‘a mini doctor on your phone’. We hope you find this useful.’
Staying safe and well in hot weather
| Organisation | Resource | Link |
| Staying safe and well in hot weather | ||
| Age UK | Age UK has produced guidance on staying cool and well in a heatwave, including information on skin health, dehydration, overheating and heat exhaustion. | Age UK guidance |
| Birmingham City Council | BCC has produced guidance on staying safe during severe weather, including dedicated information on heatwaves. | BCC guidance |
| Canal and River Trust | The Canal & River Trust has produced summer water safety guidance, including information on depth perception, hidden dangers and waterborne diseases. | Canal and River Trust guidance |
| Met Office | The Met Office has produced a range of seasonal advice to help deal with the worst weather throws at us, including guidance on travel, your home, health and wellbeing, your community and being weather ready for summer. | Met Office guidance |
| NHS | The NHS has produced seasonal health guidance, including information on sunscreen, sun safety and how to cope in hot weather. | NHS guidance |
| UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) | The UKHSA has produced guidance and resources to help people stay safe in hot weather, including information on staying connected, being prepared, keeping well, finding somewhere cool and being aware of the signs of heat-related illness.BCC have also translated UKHSA ‘beat the heat’ guidance posters in multiple community languages. | UKHSA guidanceUKHSA keep cool at home checklistTranslated UKHSA ‘ Beat the Heat’ Guidance |
| Hot weather and air pollution | ||
| UK Air Information Resource (UK-AIR) | Hot and sunny weather can lead to increased air pollution. UK-AIR produces daily air pollution forecasts and associated health advice. | UK-AIR air pollution forecastUK-AIR health advice |
Stress and anxiety support groups
In Hawkesley, the Spring to Life group are starting a programme to help people experiencing stress and anxiety.
Spring to Life serves people who want to grow in emotional well-being.
Visit the Spring to Life website here for further information and how you can sign up to activities
Spring to Life activities
Allotment Gardening
Join our community allotment sessions in Kings Norton South where you can:
- Grow food
- Learn skills
- Be active out of doors
- Meet new people
When? Every Tuesday. 1pm to 3.30pm. First Saturday of the month, 2pm to 4.30pm.
Where? Bells Sports Field Allotments, Masshouse Lane, B38 PAH
Wellbeing chats
Join our group to chat, learn and share.
- Support your mental health & Learn to relax
- Reduce Anxiety
- De-stress
- Connect with others and to your community
When? Every Wednesday 1pm to 3pm
Where? Hawkesley Community Centre, 51 Edgewood Road, B38 9RN
Nature Walks
Join our walking group to relax and connect with nature.
- Support your mental health &
- Reduce Anxiety &
- De-stress
- Meet other people
Every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm, meeting in different locations in Kings Norton South.
Contact us to find out where each walk will take place.
Talking space service
The Talking Space service offers an out of hours, safe place, to come and chat with our Intervention Workers. (With access to clinical support if needed)
The service is open to anyone aged 18 +
By appointment only – please call us on 0121 262 3555 or email help@birminghammind.org
Venues:
Creative Support, 888 Bristol Road South, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2NS
Open from 5pm to 11pm Thursday to Sunday
Beechcroft, Rear of 501 Slade Road, Erdington, Birmingham, B23 7JG
Open from 5pm to 11pm Every day
The NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme
The NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme for people living with Type 2 diabetes
A FREE new one year programme to support you to:
- Lose weight
- Reduce your diabetes medications
- Feel fitter, healthier and happier
- Potentially put your diabetes into remission.
Am I eligible?
You need to be:
- Registered with a GP practice in Birmingham and Solihull (including West Birmingham)
- Aged 18-65 Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years
- Above a healthy weight
- Able to commit to a 12-month programme
- Willing to attend virtual group sessions (Zoom)
- Comfortable with just soups and shakes for the first 12 weeks.
You also need to meet various other eligibility criteria, including not: Being an insulin user, being pregnant / planning pregnancy in the next 12 months, or have had / be waiting for bariatric surgery. If you’re eligible and interested ask your GP or nurse for more details.
What next?
The NHS has funded 500 places on the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme across Birmingham and Solihull (including West Birmingham). If you’re interested in finding out more about the programme, you can visit Momenta Newcastle website here
If you decide that this is the right programme for you at this time, you’ll need to be referred by your GP practice. This will include getting advice about medications you might be taking, potential side-effects and ongoing monitoring. Ask your GP or nurse for more details.
Who should I see?
We try to keep our GP appointments for patients with more serious health problems.
Before you book an appointment to see a doctor please consider whether an appointment with a practice nurse might be appropriate. They can help you with a wide range of medical problems.
Our receptionists can help you decide which is the right person for you to see.
Self care
If you have a cough, cold, headache or other minor ailment try treating yourself at home first.
Please remember that self-care for common conditions can help free up our GPs’ time, making it easier to get an appointment when you have a more serious condition.
Your pharmacist can help too
Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals and can give you confidential health advice for a range of common illnesses and complaints.
Don’t wait for a GP appointment for coughs, colds, aches and pains. Just call your local pharmacy a call or drop in – there’s no need to make an appointment.
Your pharmacists can also help you decide if you need to see a doctor or nurse.
Click here for more information about how pharmacies can help you.
NHS 111
111 is the free NHS non-emergency number.
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
Call 111 if:
- you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
- you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
- you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call
- you need health information or reassurance about what to do next
Click here for more information about how NHS 111 can help you.
A&E
A&E is for life-threatening accidents and emergencies only. Before you go there, ask yourself, “Is it a real emergency?”
If not, please consider using other local health services before you visit A&E. Click the link below for more details.
Alternatives to AE – Advice from CCG
COVID RED SITE – WEST HEATH PRIMARY CARE CENTRE
If you have been advised to attend the ‘GP Referral Centre’ which is based at West Heath Primary Care Centre 481 Rednal Road Birmingham B38 8AX please note the patient information leaflet details below
Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme
GamCare’s Young People’s Service (YPS)
The service is available for anyone aged 11 to 18 living in the UK that is worried about their own, or someone else’s gambling or money spent in gaming. We offer advice, guidance and education to parents/carers/professionals as well.
You can find out more information and get advice in 4 different ways:
Self-referral via the from on The Big Deal website here (parents/carers and professionals can also refer a Young Person with their consent)
Contact the gambling helpline available 24/7 on 0808 8020 133.
Using Live Chat on The Big Deal website here (Live chat button is located in the top corner)
By contacting the YPS directly on youngpeopleservice@gamcare.org.uk or 0203 092 6964 (9am-8pm Monday-Thursday; 9am-5pm Friday). Outside these hours, you can call the National Gambling Helpline for free on 0808 8020 133 (24 hours, every day).
