News
Act FAST
NHS England’s Act FAST stroke campaign launched on 4 November.
The campaign increases knowledge of the signs of a stroke and encourages people to dial 999 immediately in response to any sign – even if it doesn’t seem like much.
Please watch the new advert campaign here: https://youtu.be/z2Q_KTtncXs?feature=shared
Tees Valley Targeted Lung Health
People aged 55-74 who have ever smoked are being offered a free lung health check to make sure everything is ok.
Chances are everything will be fine, but if it is cancer, catching it early can make all the difference.
Following the lung health check those assessed as high risk (calculated using a risk calculator) will be offered a low dose Computerised Tomography (CT) scan. Locally, the scanner will be based at Tesco on Belle Vue Way and this is planned to be in place for a approximately 6-7 months. ⚠️It is very important patients attend their lung health check when invited - even if they feel well!⚠️
Eligible patients are already in the process of being invited to take part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2A4AFCYmgY
START
Start is a drug and alcohol support service. It gives treatment and support to help people get well and back on their feet. No matter what advice or level of support you need, it is always free, confidential and without judgement. Anyone living in Hartlepool can use the Start service, no matter what their age, substance use or circumstances are.
For more information please click here
Bowel Cancer Screening
Information on the new RSV Vaccine
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. RSV infection often causes symptoms similar to a cold, including cough, sore throat, sneezing and runny or blocked nose. It can also make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions. There is no specific treatment, and most infections will get better by themselves. Every year thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will die. RSV can be more severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system. RSV infection is common in young children but is most serious for small babies and for older people.
The new RSV Vaccine is available for:
- Patients who turn 75 years of age on or after the 1st September 2024
- Patients who are already aged 75-79 years old on 1st September 2024
- Pregnant patients from 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Further information is available for patients below:
Your guide to the RSV vaccine for older adults
A guide to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine for pregnant women
Eligible patients will be invited to the surgery to for this vaccine.
NHS 111- Option 2 for Crisis Mental Health Support
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can now call NHS 111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support.
NHS 111 is available 24/7.
If you are deaf or have hearing loss please use NHS 111 – SignVideo https://signvideo.co.uk/nhs111/ or use the 18001 111 Relay UK app.
Don’t worry, local freephone crisis service numbers in your area will still be active for a while to make sure you always get the support you need, and are available 24/7.
You can find a current list of local freephone crisis service numbers on the NHS North East and North Cumbria website. https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/here-to-help-summer/looking-after-your-mental-health/
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust have created a video to show what callers can expect when they call NHS 111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support.
You can find the video using this link: https://youtu.be/80yKimwGcNQ