Campaigns/Self-Help

Little Orange Book

Expert advice on helping babies and young children when they’re poorly.

Winter Vaccinations

Protect yourself from winter viruses. If you have certain health conditions, you could be eligible for a free flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster.

Flu and COVID-19 can spread more easily in winter when mixing indoors. So if you’re 50 years or over, you should have the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

The flu and COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect you and your baby against these dangerous viruses. Book your appointments now with your GP surgery or pharmacist or ask your maternity services.

Find out if you are eligible at nhs.uk/wintervaccinations and book now.

Signs of Cancer

If a friend or family member has been coughing for three weeks or more, encourage them to contact their GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but it could be a sign of cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment of cancer can save lives.

Blood in your pee – even just once, could be a sign of cancer. It’s probably nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable. Contact your GP practice.

#HelpUsHelpYou

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/symptoms/

Start for Life

Every chat you have with your child helps them develop their social skills, so they can make friends more easily.

Get simple ideas to help get them talking: nhs.uk/start4life/chatplayread

#ChatPlayRead

Staying Hydrated

Water makes up two thirds of our body. It is vital we drink enough fluid to maintain a healthy balance. Most people get dehydrated by not drinking enough fluids or by losing fluids and not replacing them.

Signs you are dehydrated:

Dry mouth
Thirst
Headache
Loose skin
Dark or strong smelling urine
Constipation
Tiredness

Click the information leaflet on the link below to find out more information on how to spot the signs and preventing dehydration:

Hydration – Simple Steps To Prevent It Information Leaflet

Hydration – Simple Steps to Prevent It Poster

Quit Smoking

Did you know?

Stopping smoking not only improves your physical health but also is proven to boost your mental health and wellbeing. Quitting can improve mood, and help relieve stress, anxiety and depression.

Join the thousands of people who are quitting smoking, download the free quit smoking app on the App Store or get it on Google Play to get started.

Quitsmokingsocial1x1app

Wirral Infobank

For more local Health and Wellbeing support services visit Wirral Infobank online: https://www.wirralinfobank.co.uk/

Symptom Checker

Symptom Checker: https://patient.info/symptom-checker

(The symptom checker results show a list of possible conditions, not an actual diagnosis. Consult your doctor if you are concerned.)

Alder Hey Symptom Checker

Use the tool to find information on several of the most common symptoms in children requiring urgent care and decide where best to get the right care for your child on the Alder Hey website: https://alderhey.nhs.uk/symptom-checker?q=%2Fsymptom-checker

Help with the Cost of Living

Citizens Advice has provided the following articles to help you as the cost of living rises: https://citizensadvicewirral.org.uk/cost-of-living/

Long Covid

As you recover from COVID-19, you may still be coming to terms with the impact the virus is having on your body and mind.

What is Long COVID and when should you seek help? Click the following link for advice for you or your loved ones on the road to recovery: https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/

Crisis Support

Compañeros Crisis Café

Located in the heart of Birkenhead, Compañeros is fully embedded as a community crisis-alternative within Wirral. Support is available to anyone aged 18 and over experiencing or anticipating a self-defined mental health crisis. Compañeros accept referrals from health and care services, and people can also walk-in/self-refer.

For more information on Compañeros, please visit the website: Compañeros – Spider Project.

November activities timetable: Spider November Timetable

NHS Health Check

The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. It’s designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk. Find out more: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/what-is-an-nhs-health-check-new/

Eye Health

Wirral Community Optometrists – Prompt Access to Local Eye Care 07922 424 502: Wirral Community Optometrists Leaflet

Where can I be seen? Ophthalomogy Services

Who gets an NHS sight test?

Find out if you’re entitled to a free NHS sight test or an optical voucher to help reduce the cost of glasses or contact lenses.

Find an optician

Look after your eyes

It’s easy to neglect your eyes because they often do not hurt when there’s a problem.
Having an eye test will not just tell you if you need new glasses or a change of prescription – it’s also an important eye health check.
An optician can spot many general health problems and early signs of eye conditions before you’re aware of any symptoms, many of which can be treated if found early enough.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding Adults: https://www.wirral.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/adult-social-care/safeguarding-adults

Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership: https://www.wirralsafeguarding.co.uk/

Contraception Choices

What is the best contraception choice for you?

Visit the below website to learn what contraception options are available and information about each method.

https://www.contraceptionchoices.org/

If you are still unsure or have any questions, speak to one of our clinicians or your pharmacy team who are here to help you.

Living with Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth in the UK. Living with a long-term, chronic condition is challenging and endometriosis can have an impact on every aspect of a person’s life. Visit https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/ for extra support for friends, family and people living with endometriosis.

Living with Asthma

Don’t let asthma stop you living your life. For advice to help you stay well visit: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/living-with-asthma/

Diabetes

Here you’ll find lots of information to help you live well with diabetes. From advice about treatments and what to eat, to practical guidance and emotional support: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes

I Want to Stop

Breast feeding: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/combine-breast-and-bottle/

Smoking: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/

Drinking alcohol: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/

Binge eating: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/binge-eating/overview/

Contraception choices: https://www.contraceptionchoices.org/infographic

Feeling sad: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/low-mood-sadness-depression/

Gambling: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction/

Managing Vitamin D

YOUR VITAMIN D IS LOW (DEFICIENT)

Following your recent blood test, we have found that your vitamin D level is low.
We have prescribed you some high strength replacement to collect from the pharmacy to take for the next 7 weeks.
Following completion of this you should take 400iu of cholecalciferol (vitamin D) daily to maintain your vitamin D levels (this can be bought over the counter from the pharmacy).
Please contact us in 3 months’ time to request a ‘bone profile’ blood test to ensure your levels have corrected.

For more information please read this supporting leaflet on Vitamin D Deficiency Leaflet

YOUR VITAMIN D IS LOW (INSUFFUCIENT)

Following your recent blood test, we have found that your vitamin D level is low.
You should now take 800iu of cholecalciferol (vitamin D) daily to replace this (this can be bought over the counter from the pharmacy).
Please contact us in 3 months’ time to request a ‘vitamin D and bone profile’ blood test to ensure your levels have corrected.

For more information please read this supporting leaflet on Vitamin D Insufficiency Patient Information Leaflet

Beat Eating Disorders

Beat Eating Disorders is the UK’s eating disorder charity.

Helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am – midnight during the week, and 4pm–midnight on weekends and bank holidays.

Email support for England:
help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Tel: 0808 801 0677

Website: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Wirral Foodbank

Wirral Foodbank is a local charity providing emergency food to local people in crisis since November 2011. Wirral Foodbank can provide three days worth of food to people who suddenly find themselves without any food or money to buy it; this can be for a range of reasons: https://wirral.foodbank.org.uk/

Family Toolbox

Tips and tools for family life in Wirral: https://familytoolbox.co.uk/

ZILLO

ZILLO was created by Wirral Borough Council’s Children’s Services in partnership with students and staff from Wirral Metropolitan College. It is a website for young people to come to get the lowdown on the latest events, arts, culture, news and expert health and wellbeing advice.

Get involved in ZILLO’s projects, and see what they have to offer by visiting their online website: https://www.zillowirral.co.uk/