This section of the website has been added as part of the Council adopted Parish Plan 2.
It is designed to raise your awareness of how you can help improve your health and that of your family or provide health related advice. It is also intended to provide helpful supporting advice to improve general well being.
Latest advice on Coronavirus
The outbreak of the coronavius and its development into a pandemic is affecting everyone’s lives and it is appears that it will be with us for some time.
Government advice on trying to stop the spread and deal with its consequences is changing on a daily basis. The main thrust of current advice is for social isolation to avoid the spread of the disease.
If you need information on the virus please make sure you look at official, reputable websites for information. We suggest the following:
- National Health Service Website
- National Government Advice on coronavirus
- Durham County Council Website Coronavirus pages
What do I do if I think I have the virus
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a dry cough
- a high temperature, fever
- shortness of breath
- loss of smell and taste
However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
If you feel you may have the virus, use the National Health Service 111 website.
If you are unable to have access to the internet call National Health Service (NHS) 111
NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group campaign – helping patients to make the right choice for their healthcare needs
Recognising patients are often confused about where to go when they feel unwell during evening and weekends when their GP practice is closed, the CCG has launched a campaign to help patients make the right choice.
Sometimes people go to A&E for things that really they should see their doctor or pharmacist for, and this puts pressure on the system. The Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group wants people to know what to do to help themselves and the NHS. The campaign is promoting clear messages about what to do and where to go if unwell at all times of the day.
Key messages being promoted
If your GP practice is closed and you have a same day health need which is not a life-threatening emergency, call NHS 111 to be directed to the most appropriate care.
- What is the issue? When people feel unwell and need to be seen that day but their GP practice is closed we know people are confused about what services are available and how to access them. A&E is only for life threatening emergencies and going there with ailments that your doctor can treat puts pressure on the system. We want people to know what to do to help themselves and the NHS.
- If patients think they have a same day health need what do they do? Always think GP practice first if you feel unwell. GP practices are open 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday. If you need to be seen that day you’ll be offered an appointment either at your own GP practice or a ‘hub’. A hub is a group of neighbouring GP practices working together to provide extra patient appointments.
If your need health need is outside of GP practice hours, ring NHS 111. They will offer advice and book you into a hub appointment or other appropriate service based on your clinical need.
- What happens when you call NHS 111? You will speak to a trained health adviser from the NHS 111 team. They will ask questions to find out what medical help you need. They can give advice, book appointments at GP practices, hubs, urgent treatment centres or even transfer your call so you can speak directly to a GP or clinician.
- Transport an issue? Throughout the recent consultation lack of transport was raised as a concern, especially for people who had a long distance to travel. DDES CCG listened to the concerns and acted by removing the requirement for people to have a clinical need to receive NHS funded transport to and from hub appointments. This means if you have been assessed as needing a same day appointment and have been booked into one of the hubs, we can organise return transport for you.
The NHS belongs to us all. Let’s use it responsibly. The way you use your NHS matters – using it wisely means we can develop and invest in local services to make your NHS fit for the future.
If you would like any further information about the campaign or you would like some marketing materials please call Judith McGuinness, communication and engagement team on 01642 745019.
Defibrillator Update – Nicola’s idea now a reality
Thank you to all of the traders from Coxhoe who made donations. With funding from Cllrs. McKeon and Dunn’s Neighbourhood Budget and the Parish Council Defibrillators have now been installed at Coxhoe Village Hall and on Quarrington Hill Club.
We are particularly grateful to Coronation Press, Robinsons Estate Agents, Coates Butchers, Noah’s Ark, AWB Plumbing & Heating and Seventeen for their contributions to make this all happen. We will be doing some training and are hoping that there will be spaces for volunteer residents. We will be doing some more publicity on the training side as soon as we possible.
The idea for the defibrillators was that of Village Hall Secretary Nicola Dodsworth, following the sad loss of Gemma Robson earlier last year. The Parish Council have since been working in partnership with Coxhoe Village Hall to purchase a defibrillator for use in each of our villages. We sought support from every business owner in Coxhoe and Quarrington Hill to help fund the purchase of two community defibrillators. We needed to raise £4000 and we asked local businesses to pledge their support by 31st April 2017. Business owners were able to pledge any amount to support. The defibrillators will allow quick access in an emergency to important treatment which could save lives. We are also hoping to seek further funding to ensure that businesses receive annual training to use the defibrillators effectively. We are very grateful for all the donations made by the traders and local councillors, without these the project just could not be achieved. The one already in place at Bowburn Community Centre was used 6 times last year to save lives.
Support your local pharmacies.
Patients may have received letters or APPs on their tablets or mobiles from Pharmacies that are based outside our area. The information you receive from these pharmacies state that we are in agreement for them to request/delivery your prescriptions. This is in-correct; we would always support our local pharmacies i.e. Coxhoe, Bowburn, West Cornforth & Kelloe. The surgery will send your prescriptions to which ever Pharmacy you choose, but please be aware who you are signing up with as some of these Pharmacies are based in the South.
Great Care Health Records.At the moment, every health care organisation holds a different set of records about you. Information in different records may be duplicated or incomplete. Your Great North Care Record is the development of access for health professionals to view your electronic medical records that will over time include a range of healthcare information to help improve the care you receive in the North East. Please pick up a leaflet when you are next in the surgery or log on to the surgery website www.coxhoemedicalpractice.co.uk for further information. those patients who have already opted out of sharing health records will not be affected. Any patients who have not already opted -out of sharing records, can still opt-out if they wish to. Call into the surgery to complete a form.
Wellbeing for Life – Bowel Cancer Screening: Have you received your kit?
The County Durham Wellbeing for Life service is working in the local community to promote bowel cancer screening and encourage men and women to take part. Wellbeing for Life are working in partnership with local GP surgeries and community venues to give men and women in County Durham the opportunity to find out more about bowel cancer screening.
1 in 14 men and 1 in 19 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime. There were 41,300 new cases of bowel cancer in the UK in 2014.
The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme invites all men and women aged between 60 and 74 for screening every 2 years. You need to be registered with a GP to receive the screening kit. If you are older than 74, you can still have screening every 2 years but you won’t automatically be invited. To receive a screening kit after the age of 74, phone 0800 707 60 60.
People younger than 60 aren’t eligible for the bowel cancer screening test, but can have bowel scope screening. It is important to know your body and get checked out if anything changes that is not normal for you. If you have symptoms, are worried about a family history of bowel cancer, or worried about your bowel health in any way, speak to your GP.
Vicki Moffat, Wellbeing Coordinator said ‘The bowel cancer screening kit is a home test kit and checks for the presence of blood in a poo sample. It has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer by 16%. You carry out the test in the privacy of your own home and a full set of instructions come with the kit. It may sound a bit unpleasant to do, but it could save your life.’
Bowel cancer screening aims to find cancers early. Very early bowel cancers are usually easier to treat, may need less treatment, and are more likely to be cured It is important to take part in your bowel screening whenever you receive the kit.
For further information, please contact Vicki Moffat, Wellbeing for Life Coordinator (East Durham Hub) on 0191 5274150
For further information check out the following links
Durham Carer Support looking to help Carers
Do you look after someone who may be unwell or disabled?
If the answer is yes, you could be a Carer.
You might be helping someone with their personal care or be offering them practical and emotional support or just ensuring that they are safe and coping. As a result you might feel isolated, overwhelmed and undervalued. Durham Carer Support can offer specialist advice and information, practical help with completing forms, gaining benefits, grants and other funding. We can also help Carers that are in need of a break.
Tel : 0300 005 121 23 Text : 07860 017 632
Email: admin@dccarers.org
Website: www.dccarers.org
Pension Wise
Are you confused by the pension changes? Do you need free and impartial guidance?
Pension Wise helps you make informed decisions about your future and what’s best for you and your family. The Citizens Advice Bureau usually offer appointments at various locations across County Durham.
For appointments see the Pension Wise website: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk or call either 0191 270 4485 or 0800 138 3944 between 9:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday.
New community support services available but they need your help!
Do you know someone who would benefit from some extra support at home or in the community? The Health Buddy project offers support from trained volunteer befrienders.
The Health Buddy scheme offers flexible, short term support to people over 50 years of age who live in Coxhoe, Trimdon, Fishburn and Sedgefield. This could be supporting individuals with their shopping, attending social activities and medical appointments, or simply taking the time to listen over a cup of tea. The Scheme can also assist individuals in accessing other services in their local area to ensure continued support.
The project needs volunteers. Are you patient, reliable and a good communicator? Do you know your local community?
The project would like voluntary befrienders to develop trusting relationships with vulnerable and older people. Full training is provided.
If you want to know more about the service, or want to volunteer, get in touch today.
Contact Details
Contact Name: Fiona Chrichard or Sheila Pinkney
Telephone: 01325 321234
Email: healthbuddy@pcp.uk.net
Website: www.pcp.uk.net
Address:
Pioneering Care Centre,
Carers Way,
Newton Aycliffe,
County Durham,
DL5 4SF
One Point – Services for Children, Young People and Families
Working together, staff from the NHS and Durham County Council have created a unique service to provide a “one stop shop” for support, advice, guidance and a range of activities for children, young people and their families. This includes support from early pregnancy to the age of 19 years and for some children and young people who have a disability, up to the age of 25 years. This service is called One Point and makes it easier for children, young people and their families to access:
- Health Visiting
- School Nursing
- Educational Welfare
- Behaviour Support
- Educational; Psychology
- Personal Advice (formally Connexions)
- Youth Work
- Family Support
- Anti-bullying
- Personal Support
This area is supported by the Durham Hub, telephone 03000 261115 and spokes at Brandon and Laurel Avenue Children’s Centres.
If you wish to find out more about One Point please contact them on 03000 261111 or visit: www.durham.gov.uk/onepoint
NHS 111
NHS 111 is a new free to call number which makes it easier for you to access local health services. If you need urgent health care or out of hours care, you should call NHS 111 before you go to any otherr service. By calling NHS 111 you will be directed straightaway to the local service that can help you best.
When you call you will be connected to a fully trained advisor. They will ask you a series of questions to assist in directing you to the right service, first time. If it is felt to be an emergency needing an ambulance one will be sent immediately without the need for further assessment.
Dealing with Norovirus
The Health service has been providing information about dealing with the noro virus or winter vomiting illness. As reports of the illness has started to increase the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is urging people with vomiting or diarrhoea to stay away from work or school until the y have been free of symptoms for 48 hours to help limit the spread of the illness.
They are recommending that people with the illness do not visit your GP surgery or local A and E unit. Norovirus is a ‘self limiting’ illness and you will recover without treatment. It is important, however, to take in plenty of liquids to replace lost fluids.
If you symptoms persist ask for a telephone consultation with your family doctor or alternatively dial 111 if you live in County Durham and Darlington.
Adobe Reader
You may need a product like Adobe Reader (free download) to view our PDF documents on our website.