Your pull-out guide to Health and Care services in Brent Your pull-out guide to Health and Care services in Brent

This pull-out and keep guide is designed to help you access health and care services by providing details of all the access points to health and care – listing services in a logical way and providing you with the links to get the help you need.

GET STARTED – GET A GP

If you haven’t got a GP, that’s the place to start. A General Practitioner (GP) is the doctor you will see most often.

They are usually the first contact you will make if you have a health problem.

GPs work in ‘GP Practices’ that will usually include a few doctors, as well as nurses and other health professionals. They can treat many conditions and give health advice. You will be able to book an appointment to see a GP in-person or you can arrange an appointment over the phone or online. If you need prescription medication, your GP can arrange for it to be collected at a pharmacy that is convenient for you.

GPs can also refer you onto other NHS services, such as specialists in hospitals, if you need more advanced care.

REGISTER TODAY

You need to be registered with a GP to use their services, but the good news is it couldn’t be simpler. Anyone in England can register with a GP free of charge, and importantly: n You do not need ID n You do not need proof of address n You do not need proof of immigration status n You also don’t need an NHS number – that will be assigned to you once you register Website: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-registerwith-a-gp-surgery

Online Gp Access

Just like online banking, you can access GP services and look at your GP records online. You can choose to: n Book and cancel appointments - your practice will choose appointments that can be booked online n Order repeat prescriptions n Look at part of your GP records n Online services are free to use and are just another way of contacting your practice – you can still ring or go in person

You can also request your full printed records from your practice, although they may charge for this.

Urgent Care

NHS 111

Making an appointment with your GP is the best way to make first contact if you have a health problem. However, if you need medical help urgently then you can phone 111. NHS 111 can offer advice if you need to: n Discuss complex medical problems n Discuss worries about a long-term condition n Get end-of-life care, or report a death n Report child protection or vulnerable adult concerns

If you need help in other languages, you can ask for an interpreter.

YOU CAN ALSO ACCESS 111: n Online at www.111.nhs.uk/Help/OtherWays n By text relay by calling 18001 111 n Using British Sign Language (BSL) at www.signvideo.co.uk/nhs111

999 AND A&E

You should call 999 for lifethreatening emergencies when you need an ambulance. These include issues such as: n Loss of consciousness n Acute confused state and fits that are not stopping n Persistent, severe chest pain n Breathing difficulties n Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped

Text relay users can call 18000 to get through to 999.

USE 999 AND A&E WISELY

Many patients who attend A&E can be seen by alternative NHS services such as GPs, pharmacists and dentists.

A&E should only be used for life threatening emergencies, so if you require urgent help, but not emergency advice, use NHS 111 instead.

In an emergency you can also attend Accident and Emergency (A&E), but again only for life threatening emergencies such as those listed above.

There are two A&E departments in the borough, Central Middlesex Hospital and Northwick Park Hospital offering access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

URGENT TREATMENT CENTRES

An alternative to A&E departments are Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs), which treat minor injuries and illness requiring urgent treatment that cannot be seen by your GP.

Your nearest UTC in Brent is at Central Middlesex Hospital, open 8am to midnight, seven days a week.

Tel: 0333 999 2575

Pharmacists

Local pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals who can help with minor health concerns and illnesses, including coughs, colds, upset stomach, skin or eye infections, some vaccinations, and medications.

This is a quick and convenient way to get clinical advice on your high street, allowing you to receive face-to-face confidential help on the same day, without the need to book an appointment.

Mental Health

Your GP can talk to you about your mental health and help introduce you to the right mental health service for your needs.

You can refer yourself directly to some services, such as NHS Talking Therapies for people with feelings of low mood, anxiety, particular fears or problems coping with daily life and relationships. Phone 020 8206 3924 or go to: www.talkingtherapies.cnwl.nhs.uk/brent

There are also a range of approaches to support 16-25 year olds that you can find details of at: bit.ly/cnwlmentalhealth

In addition, you can access support anytime from a free, safe anonymous online mental health community – such as Brent Mind.

Brent Mind

With offices in Cricklewood and Harlesden, Brent Mind delivers services to support young people and adults whose lives have been affected by mental health problems. In addition to a programme of support, mentoring and coaching, training, activities and social groups for children and young people.

Website: www.bwwmind.org.uk Tel: 020 7604 5177

Help In A Mental Health Crisis

Freephone 0800 0234 650 if you need help in a mental health crisis. This line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There is also information online for younger adults and children: www.cnwl.nhs.uk/patients-and-carers/helpmental-health-crisis

Website: www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/mental-health-services

General Health Services

Children’s services

Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust provide a range of services aimed at children, young people and their guardian/parent.

Website: www.healthmatters.clch.nhs.uk/brent

Immunisations and Vaccinations

Vaccinations protect ourselves and our children against ill health, preventing up to three million deaths worldwide every year and making diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus very rare if seen at all in the UK.

Find out more about when your child needs to be vaccinated, the school-based immunisation programmes in Brent and advice for recent migrants.

Website: www.nwlondonics.nhs.uk/your-health-services/ immunisations-and-vaccinations

Dentists

NHS dentists provide all the necessary treatment that you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums in a healthy condition. To get NHS dental treatment, just contact a practice providing NHS dentistry and ask for an NHS appointment.

Website: www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist

Opticians

Optometrists and dispensing opticians are generally referred to as opticians, although optometrists carry out eye tests to check the quality of your sight and dispensing opticians fit glasses and contact lenses. Together they can look for signs of eye disease which may need treatment from a doctor or eye surgeon and prescribe glasses and contact lenses.

Website: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/ opticians

Sexual health

NHS North West London Sexual Health and Contraception Services provide sexual health services, HIV care, and a range of outreach services with their partner organisations to the people of Brent.

There are two clinics in Brent: Patrick Clements Clinic at Central Middlesex Hospital

Acton Lane, Park Royal, NW10 7NS

Nearest station: Harlesden

Buses: 187, 224, 226, 260, 440, 487

Community HUB clinic Brent

Community support for people affected by HIV in Brent Hillside Primary Care Centre, Harlesden NW10 8RY

Nearest station: Harlesden

Buses: 18, N18, 206, 224

Website: www.shc.lnwh.nhs.uk/home

Tel: 020 8453 2221

Wheelchair services wheelchair.services

AJM Healthcare is the appointed NHS Wheelchair Service Provider for residents currently registered with a Brent GP.

Website: www.northwestlondon.

Tel: 0808 164 2040

Care Services

Brent Carers Centre

Brent Carers Centre provides support for carers, including advice and information on everything from legal support to carers’ rights in the workplace.

It also provides support for those who are lonely and socially isolated, and those needing skills training and help finding employment.

Website: www.brentcarerscentre. org.uk Tel: 020 3802 7070

Ashford Place

Provides practical solutions for people trapped in the interconnected web of homelessness, alcohol and substance abuse, while facilitating groundbreaking support to those struggling with mental health, dementia and agerelated issues.

Website: www.ashfordplace.org.uk

Tel: 020 8208 8590/95

Adult Social Care

Adult Social Care services within Brent Council include information, advice and practical support to people with a disability, physical or mental illness to live independently and stay safe and well. These services are usually provided in people’s homes, care homes or in the community and includes personal care, such as support with cooking meals, washing, dressing and getting out of bed in the morning, as well as wider support to help people stay active and engaged in their communities. This also includes support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend. If you provide 35 hours of care a week, or more, you may be eligible for a Carer’s Allowance and in some circumstances, a Council Tax Discount. You will be offered a benefits check to make sure you are receiving all the financial support you are entitled to.

Advisors are available MondayFriday, from 9am - 5pm. Website: www.brent.gov.uk/adult-social-care

Tel: 020 8937 4300

Email: customer.services@brent.gov.uk

Emergency Duty Team

The Emergency Duty Team (EDT) provides a range of emergency social care services out of hours to members of the public and other agencies. The team provides a service response to Social Care emergencies involving clients from Children & Families, Adult Social Care and Mental Health, which occur out of hours, and which cannot be safely left until the next working day. This service is for situations that are in the nature of an emergency or have an element of urgent distress.

Tel: 020 8863 5250

Reporting Abuse, Exploitation and Neglect

We all need to take the abuse, exploitation and neglect of adults seriously because everyone has the right to be treated with dignity, have their choices respected and live a life without fear.

If you are worried about someone who may be abused or neglected please report this.

Website: www.brent.gov.uk/adultsocial-care/protecting-adults-fromrisk-of-abuse

Tel: 020 8937 4300