Outreach telephone sessions available to Bildeston Health Centre patients: 

• Tuesday ring 07384 429361
• Wednesday ring 07586 741 250
• Thursday ring 07379 202164

National Citzens Advice - Helpline 0800 144 8848

Samaritans:

116 123 

Carers Week 2024 - Suffolk Family Carers - please click on the link to take you to the SFC website.

Time Out Together Events | Suffolk Family Carers

https://suffolkfamilycarers.org/event/out-in-the-community/ 

Suffolk Family Carers Website

https://suffolkfamilycarers.org/event/community-connector-bus-3-2/

Dementia Action Week - although the event is over, please click on the link to take you to the website.

Please click on the link for more information Dementia Action Week | Alzheimer's Society (alzheimers.org.uk)

Dementia Connect East & West Suffolk Provided by Alzheimer's Society in Partnership with Suffolk Family Carers Service.  Please go to the website

Alzheimer's Society (alzheimers.org.uk) or telephone 0333 150 3456 for more information.

Dementia Connect East & West Suffolk Provided by Alzheimer’s Society in partnership with Suffolk Family Carers Service Summary Dementia Connect is a personalised dementia support service for anyone with dementia, their carers, families, friends, or anyone concerned about their memory. Dementia Connect is free, easy to access and puts you in touch with our expert Dementia Advisers who will provide person-centred support, information and advice. They will offer the support you need from local help to telephone and online advice. Alzheimer’s Society will keep in touch with you to make sure you keep getting the support you need. And because it’s never easy to tell your story, you’ll only ever need to tell it once.

Self-referrals into Dementia Connect can be made via telephone, email or our online referral portal for professionals. The Memory Assessment Service and GPs can also refer individuals into the service with their consent.

Telephone support will be available between 9am – 8pm Monday to Wednesday, 9am – 5pm Thursday to Friday, and 10am – 4pm weekends. Face-to-face support will be available 9am – 5pm weekdays

Get Shingles Ready!  Click on the link below for more information:

National Immunisation Programme (getshinglesready.co.uk)

Please click on the link below to find out where you can obtain ferrules for your walking sticks:

00195-24 Ferrule February Be Stick Aware A4 Poster.indd (icb.nhs.uk)

Are you eligible for help with NHS Health Costs?  Including prescriptions, eye care, travel, provision of wigs.  Click on the link below to see if you qualify:

Check if you're eligible for help | NHSBSA

Are you feeling stressed or worried due to the recent cost of living increases? Call us on 0300 123 1503 or visit wellbeingnands.co.uk

Urgent Dental Care -  If you think you need urgent treatment:

Call your regular dentist or if you do not have one, call an NHS Dental Practice.

Or go to 111.nhs.uk or Call 111

If a clinical appointment is necessary this will be arranged at your dental practice or at a UDC.

Please do not visit A&E department or your GP with dental problems. 

Suffolk Libraries - Open Space.  If you’re interested in talking about wellbeing in a friendly and supportive environment, then Open Space might be for you. Click on the link below to find your nearest library and search 'Open Space'.  

www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/openspace

Please click on the link below to take you to the Suffolk Libraries website where you will be able to find lots of useful information including a 'loan of a laptop'!

https://www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/

Suffolk ArtLink - Curious Minds is arts and heritage programme designed to support wellbeing through creative and mindful activities. Curious Minds offers participants the chance to enjoy exploring a variety of art forms whilst developing creative skills and tools to support mental wellbeing.

WHERE: Felixstowe Library (Ground floor meeting room) Crescent Road, Felixstowe IP11 7BY WHEN: Wednesday 6th March 10am-12:30pm A 12 week programme

Curious Minds - Suffolk Artlink 

Home but not Alone:

A new community service to support people who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact 0800 876 6926 - this line will be staffed from 09:00 to 17:00, seven days a week. 

Suffolk Advice and Support Service - for anyone needing support with debt, housing or employment.  0800 068 3131.

Domestic Abuse Outreach Service operated by Anglia Care Trust 0800 977 5690

Lighthouse (Women's Centre) telephone 01473 228270/220770

P.H.O.E.B.E is an Ipswich-based registered charity that offers specialist advice, information, casework, advocacy and support and counselling services to black and ethnic minority women and children.

Home - Phoebe Centre UK

First Response: Suffolk helpline for urgent mental health support 0808 196 3494

Suffolk County Council Customer First if you are worried that a child, young person or adult is at risk of abuse, harm or neglect 0808 800 4005

If you are currently (or have been) affected by the menopause or perimenopause, and either access services or live in Suffolk, we would like to hear from you.   Please click on the link below to complete our survey:

Experiences of the Menopause & Perimenopause in Suffolk (smartsurvey.co.uk)

Support, Advice & Signposting for families with newborn babies across West Suffolk Ipswich and East Suffolk and North East Essex - Home Start.  Text 07708 032524 if you have any general queries ie post-birth recovery, signposting to groups and sources of support and looking after your baby in the first 6 months.  

NOTE THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY NUMBER! 

Supporting good care for miscarriage patients. the Miscarriage Association (M.A.), the UK charity that offers support and information to anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancy.  Please click on the link below for available leaftets:

https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/information/leaflets 

Meningitis and Septicaemia - Know the Symptoms!  Click on the link to take you to the M&S website:

What are Meningitis & Septicaemia? | Meningitis Research Foundation

Prostate Cancer information for patients:

Prostate Cancer UK | Prostate Cancer UK

Home Start for families and children - click on the link for more information 

Find your Home-Start | Home-Start UK

HPV cancer and you | International HPV Awareness DayHPV Campaign (askabouthpv.org)

Better safe than tumour - Signs and Symptoms

Brain tumours & spinal cancer in children | Children with Cancer UK

Raise awareness of ovarian cancer | Ovarian Cancer Action

What are the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer? | Prostate Cancer UK

Macmillan Cancer Support | The UK's leading cancer care charity

Cervical Screening Awareness Week .  Click on the link below for more information:

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week | Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust (jostrust.org.uk)

The Cancer Care Navigators are here to help people get the right help and support with all non-medical needs.

They are trained staff working alongside Ipswich and Colchester hospital and with the local GP surgeries to support newly diagnosed patients, their families and carers with practical, financial and emotional concerns they might have.

We are able to offer practical support and advice, which might include:

• Helping patients improve their health and wellbeing
• Pointing patients towards relevant cancer support groups and courses
• Referring patients for emotional support where needed, and identifying who may be best placed to support them
• Advising patients on how to talk to family and friends about cancer  
• Linking patients in with services and support in their local area
• Facilitating access to support for any practical needs

Supporting patients with the transition back to daily life, as their care moves from a hospital setting to a community setting.

You can self-refer by calling Colchester on 01206 487288 or Ipswich on 01473 702125 or you can email cancercarenavigators@esneft.nhs.uk

or go to their website:

https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/service/cancer/cancer-care-navigators/

Please be aware that November is Gastric, Lung, Mouth and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month:  Please click on any of the links below to take you to specific websites:

Cancer Research UK

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer - Pancreatic Cancer UK

Mouth Cancer Foundation | Helpline: 01924 950 950

Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)

Lung Cancer Awareness Month Coming in November - UKATA

Lung cancer signs and symptoms - Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

Stomach Cancer - Guts UK (gutscharity.org.uk)

GORD Awareness - The OPA

Please click on the link below for information regarding Online Safe Spaces:

https://uksaysnomore.org/online-safe-spaces/ 

One Life Suffolk - Tel: 01473 718193

Childrens Tier 3

Families & Young People

Suffolk County Council - visit our website School nursing | Suffolk County Council

Chathealth for 11-19 year olds.  Send a text message to 07507 333356 for information on Anxiety; Bullying; Sexual Health; Contraception; Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs; Sleep; Staying Healthy; Support through Coronavirus.  

If parents/carers have any questions, they can email us at admissions@suffolk.gov.uk or by telephone on 0345 600 0981 (local rate).

Suffolk Family Information Service - click on the link for impartial advice about childcare and services to support parents and carers:

Suffolk Family Information Service - Suffolk County Council

For Suffolk Residents:

The Suffolk and NOrth east Esex ICS has launched a brand new website which aims to offer residents a single, comprehensive and accurate source of information above Covid-19 vaccinations!  Click on the link below :- 

 https://www.facebook.com/SuffolkCountyCouncil/videos/733405244272550/ 

Please click on the lick below for information on how to access help if you are suffering with anxiety and depression.

https://www.wellbeingnands.co.uk/suffolk/ or telephone 0808 196 3494 for Urgent help.

The Shaw Trust (Connect for Health - Social Prescribing Service)

The service assists individuals to find non-clinical solutions to improve their own health and wellbeing. The programme supports patients by offering a private telephone discussion with the Community Connector to explore what matters to the individual. It also aims to support individuals to take greater control of their own health. 

• Social Prescribing can reduce pressure on services – including GPs, social care and A&E​, it has shown benefits in 3 key areas – mental health outcomes, community wellbeing and social exclusion (Friedli & Watson).​ 
   
    
• The Shaw Trust covers the areas of 
• Felixstowe
• Woodbridge
• Saxmundham and Northeast
• South Rural
• Stowmarket
• Eye and Northwest

Social prescribing and community outreach services - NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB

• New phone number: 01394 332265
• New central email for referrals:  C4h.suffolk@nhs.net

Social Prescribing Information

Volunteer

Volunteer Responders 1

Volunteer Responders 2

Patients are now able to self-refer to Suffolk Podiatry.  Please click on the link to self-refer or if you prefer, telephone them on 0333 043 3966, option 1

Self-referral (podiatryselfrefer.co.uk) 

Happy with our surgery?

Please leave us feedback by clicking here

NHS Friends and Family

If you wish to give feedback whilst you are visiting the surgery, the Friends and Family questionnaires are located in our waiting room. 

From February 2021, a single point of access telephone line for people aged 65+ Open 7 days a week 10am - 2pm.  Please telephone 01284 334516.  Click on the link below to take you to the BSEVC/InfoLink website: 

https://infolink.suffolk.gov.uk/kb5/suffolk/infolink/service.page?id=EzalH5VoVks 

Please click on the link below to give feedback if you have recently received the Coronavirus vaccine!

https://healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk/services/covidvaccinationfeedback/ 

https://www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/

Knock & Check on a neighbour
Stay well, stay warm, stay connected this winter
Small actions can make a big difference. If you know someone who is vulnerable, give a knock, and say hello. Something as simple as offering to
pick up shopping can be a lifeline for those in need.

We need your help to ensure that no one is left feeling isolated or in need this winter. 

Help us spread the word about support services on offer in our district -

The Home, But Not Alone service provides urgent assistance with getting food or medication for those classed as extremely
clinically vulnerable. Call freephone 0800 876 6926, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.

Help is at hand from the Suffolk Support and Advice Service for anyone facing financial difficulties. The service provides free
confidential advice on a range of issues, from Covid concerns to rent arrears or credit card debt. Call freephone 0800 068 3131.

The Rural Coffee Caravan’s Warm Homes Scheme offers free and friendly energy advice.
Visit: www.ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk/warm-homes or call Diana on 07494 572153 or Annette on 07957 779623.

If you are concerned about the mental health or wellbeing of a young person, aged 25 and under, contact the Children & Young
People’s Emotional Wellbeing Hub on 0345 600 2090, Monday to Friday, from 8am to 7:30pm.
Visit: www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/

First Responders 0808 196 3646 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).

Kooth also offers free and anonymous online support and counselling, including a web chat service, for young people.
Visit: www.kooth.com for more information.

If you are struggling to cope and need immediate help, The Samaritans is a 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks,
for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Text 116 123.

What else can I do to help?
• Volunteer for one of the many fantastic voluntary organisations in Suffolk
• Pop a note through your neighbour’s door with your contact details in case of an emergency
• Bake a cake or make up an extra plate of food for your neighbour
• Pass on magazines or books
• Knock on the door to show a familiar face
• Find your good neighbour network at: SuffolkGoodNeighbours.co.uk.

From February 2021, a single point of access telephone line for people aged 65+ Open 7 days a week 10am - 2pm.  Please telephone 01284 334516.  Click on the link below to take you to the BSEVC/InfoLink website: 

https://infolink.suffolk.gov.uk/kb5/suffolk/infolink/service.page?id=EzalH5VoVks 

Summary Care Records 

The Summary Care Record (SCR) is a national NHS programme which allows information about you – such as allergies and medications - to be shared between clinicians to support urgent care across the country. Adding ‘additional information’ to your Summary Care Record, such as significant medical history, makes it a much more useful source of information for emergency departments and the ambulance service if they need to treat you wherever you are in the country.  

More information is available here.  

Please note that in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, additional information will be included in Summary Care Records for patients by default, unless they have previously told the NHS that they did not want their information to be shared. This will improve the flow of information across the health and care system, increase safety, and improve care. 
 
More information can be found here.