Useful Links and Resources

Activities for Kids – Healthier Families

The NHS website has a great source of information and activies to help children and families stay active.

Parents can take the 3 minute Better Health Quiz to see what free sports, games and activities their family could try, with links provided at the end.

There are also 10 minute shake up games as well as indoor games, plus more.

Follow the link below for access to the Healthier Families section of the website:

Healthier Families

Care Choices

Care choices publish their Adult Care & Support Directory online, it contains:

  • Details of local care providers
  • Guidance on what support services are available
  • Information on how to access social care in your area.

To view or download a copy, please visit their website using the button below

Care Choices Website

To get your free copy of the Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole care guide, please call:

  • Care Choices Ltd on 01223 207770
Care Choices Website

Charity Websites

Cancer Help

Free information service provided by Cancer Research UK about cancer and cancer care for people with cancer and their families. Information is formatted in such a way that makes understanding the website an easy process

Cancer Backup

Europe’s leading cancer information charity, with over 4,500 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.

Diabetes UK

Largest charity in the UK devoted to the care and treatment of people with diabetes in order to improve the quality of life for people with the condition

Asthma UK

This website has been revamped to meet the needs of the thousands of people with asthma who visit the site each day, either to find important information about asthma and how to control it

Alzheimer’s Society

Comprehensive information for people with all forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s Society is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Guide Dogs wants a world in which all blind and partially-sighted people enjoy the same rights, opportunities and responsibilities as everyone else. Their mission is to provide guide dogs and other mobility services that increase the independence and dignity of blind and partially-sighted people. We campaign for improved rehabilitation services and unhindered access for all blind and partially-sighted people.

Mental Health Foundation

Founded in 1949, the Mental Health Foundation is a leading UK charity that provides information, carries out research, campaigns and works to improve services for anyone affected by mental health problems, whatever their age and wherever they live.

Mind

Mind is a mental health charity in England and Wales. Founded in 1946 as the National Association for Mental Health, it celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2016. Mind offers information and advice to people with mental health problems and lobbies government and local authorities on their behalf.

Epilepsy Action

Epilepsy Action is the largest member-led epilepsy organisation in Britain, acting as the voice for the UK’s estimated 456,000 people with epilepsy, as well as their friends, families, carers, health professionals and the many other people on whose lives the condition has an impact.

British Heart Foundation

Our vision is of a world in which people do not die prematurely of heart disease. We will achieve this through our pioneering research, our vital prevention activity and by ensuring quality care and support for people living with heart disease.

We need you to share our vision because, together, we really can beat heart disease.

Health Care Travel Costs Scheme

If you’re referred to hospital or other NHS premesis for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).

The page below on the NHS website explains who is eligible  and how to make a claim:

HCTC Scheme

Sherborne Area Directory for Health & Care

Our Patient Participation Group chairman, Roger Marsh, has compiled a health & care directory with up-to-date information for where you can get help in our local area. Please click below to access the directory.

View the Directory

Steps 2 Wellbeing

Steps 2 Wellbeing is an NHS mental health service for adults living in Dorset and Southampton. It provides a range of low and high intensity treatments for common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD. The service also offers support for people living with long term health conditions.

Patients can refer themselves to the service via their website or they can be referred through their GP or any health care provider.

Please click the button below to be taken to the website:

Steps 2 Wellbeing

Student Information

Our PCN have compiled a health guide for young people which contains lots of useful information.

Health Guide

Confidentiality

When you consult the doctor, it is an entirely private matter between you and them, and, although if you are under 16 you will be encouraged to discuss your health care with your parents, it will be your choice to do . The doctor will not talk to anybody else about you, unless you want them too or if you are at severe risk e.g. abuse

Appointments

We appreciate it may be difficult to get an appointment at a convenient time such as after school or college… if you explain this to the receptionist or write it on your triage form, then we will try to fit you in to see the doctor or nurse. Alternatively you could ask for the doctor to ring or text you, or ask for an email conversation. 

We can offer you help and advise on all medical matters, as well as  sexual health and contraception, and more personal issues like anxiety, grief, depression, self harm, alcohol and drug abuse.

Listed below are some simple direction and recommended web pages and phone numbers relating to certain problems:

CONTRACEPTION

All our GPs can help with any contraceptive queries you may have. We have several GPs that specialise in fitting coils and contraceptive implants. Please phone the surgery for more information.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

This can be obtained from the surgery, or local pharmacies.

SEXUAL HEALTH

The surgery can advise, and perform simple tests (eg Chlamydia screening). However, for full screening Swish providea GUM (genito-urinary medicine) clinics across Somerset.

Visit their Website or call 0300 1245010 to find your nearest centre.

In Dorset, you can find further information regarding clinics and postal STI kits here: Order a postal online STI test – Sexual Health Dorset

Click here for excellent contraception & sexual health advice

DRUGS

If you are concerned about substance abuse then you can talk in confidence to your doctor.

The Talk to Frank website can help you find out everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law. It also has support and advice on drugs and alcohol today.  talktofrank 0800 776600

SMOKING:

The NHS offers a free stop smoking service, contact LiveWell Dorset for more information LiveWell Dorset

It offers free one-to-one support, along with stop smoking medicines available for the cost of a prescription.

The NHS website also contains excellent help and advice on how to stop smoking NHS Website

BULLYING:

The family lives website offers help and support for anyone experiencing issues with bullying: Family Lives

EATING DISORDERS:

If you or someone you know is struggling with any form of eating disorder our GPs are happy to speak to you regarding this. 

The Beat Eating Disorders website can also provide help and support: Beat Eating Disorders

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, DISTRESS AND MENTAL ILLNESS, SELF HARM:

You can find excellent advice for help with mental health issues at;

Young Minds   The UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.

Royal College of Psychiatry A selection of information for young people, parents and carers, about young people’s mental health. It is written by psychiatrists and young people working together. 

The Samaritans The Samaritans can celp with a wide range of issues and can be contacted in whatever method works best for you, phone, email, letter or in a branch. They also have a self-help app.

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS:

Papyrus Papyrus has a confidential advice line for anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts, or anyone who knows someone that is struggling. You can also send them a text or email.

PARENTS:

Being a parent of a teenager may not be easy.  This website can give advise and support:

Action for Children  Down-to-earth parenting advice you can trust. Find answers to parenting questions in their advice articles. Or talk to a parenting coach about anything that’s worrying you. It’s all free, and no topic is too big, small, or embarrassing.