Face Masks

Precautionary measures remain in place in healthcare settings in line with Government guidance.

For GP practices, hospitals and dental practices this includes the requirement for everyone, including staff and patients, to:

• Wear a face covering • Maintain social distancing • Continue to wash hands • Test and isolate if experiencing symptoms

This is so we can all do our bit to help protect the most vulnerable who are also attending these places for appointments.

People are also asked to wear a face covering when visiting their local pharmacy. GP practices are still asking people to contact them first before attending. This could be either via an online form on their website or over the phone.

The surgery will assess a patient’s condition and consultations will be carried out either remotely or in person, depending on clinical need.

Don’t forget, your NHS is still here for you but please choose the right service.

New online emotional support for parents

A new online service aimed at helping parents of children experiencing mental health issues will be available in Bolton from August 1, 2021.

Qwell will offer parents and carers aged 26 and over the chance to access digital counselling and emotional support, if they are helping to support with their child’s mental health or if they need direct emotional support for their own mental wellbeing.

The service is accessed via the website

https://www.qwell.io/ and is an

extension of an existing online digital service for children and young people in Bolton, called Kooth. In Bolton, Kooth provides online help and support to people aged between 11 and 25. Both services are commissioned by Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as part of its commitment to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people.

Via Qwell, parents can access professional support 24/7, anonymously and with no need for a referral. Counselling sessions, including one-on-one sessions with fully trained practitioners, run from midday to 10pm on weekdays and from 6pm to 10pm at weekends. Appointments can be booked in advance or accessed as a drop-in, via instant text-based chats.

The website also includes educational, self-help articles, peer-to-peer support via moderated discussion forums and personal tools such as an online journal and interactive goal tracker.