All GP practices in Sefton have now signed up to a repeat prescription ordering scheme following its success in several GP practices. The change in the way repeat prescriptions are ordered not only improves patient’s safety but also helps to reduce the amount of wasted medicines, estimated at costing the local NHS at least £2 million each year. NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group … Continue reading Sefton GPs sign up to scheme

There is a new place in Bootle where people can drop anchor for a coffee, chat and enjoy meeting others from the community. The Hub Coffee Shop opened at Goddard Hall recently and, besides offering homemade food with gluten-free cakes, Weight Watchers recipe meals and vegetarian food, it is the SSAFA Bootle base for veterans. There is a complimentary breakfast for veterans on a Wednesday … Continue reading Drop in for coffee and a chat!

Anfield legend Jamie Carragher was the VIP guest this week when a Bootle-based charity launched its new positive mental health service for children and young people across Sefton. Staff at Venus invited the retired Liverpool and England defender to officially open the new Star Centre, based in the renovated former Orrell Arts Centre building on Linacre Lane. Around 100 guests attended the opening ceremony, including … Continue reading Liverpool legend opens Sefton’s new Star Centre

Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Sefton are inviting people to come along to their eighth Big Chat events to talk about health services with local commissioners and to give their views about their local NHS. As well as hearing an update on each CCG’s latest work, residents will be invited to take part in workshop style sessions, where they will be asked for their views … Continue reading Join Big Chat 8!

NHS England has produced this guidance which is aimed at anyone exposed to the incident at Manchester Arena that took place on 22 May 2017. The emotional effects will be felt by survivors, bereaved families, friends, emergency services, health care workers and the general public. If you witnessed or lost someone in the attack you will most certainly have a strong reaction. Reactions are likely to be strongest in those closest to the incident, who directly witnessed the aftermath and who were involved in the immediate care of victims.

Common reactions to traumatic events
The following responses are normal and to be expected in the first few weeks:

Emotional reactions such as feeling afraid, sad, horrified, helpless, overwhelmed, angry, confused, numb or disorientated
Distressing thoughts and images that just pop into your head
Nightmares
Disturbed sleep or insomnia
Feeling anxious
Low mood

These responses are a normal part of recovery and are the mind’s mechanisms of trying to make sense and come to terms with what happened. They should subside over time.
What can people do to cope?
The most helpful way of coping with an event like this is to be with people you feel close to and normally spend time with.
If it helps, talk to someone you feel comfortable with (friends, family, co-workers) about how you are feeling.
Talk at your own pace and as much as you feel it’s useful.
Be willing to listen to others who may need to talk about how they feel.
Take time to grieve and cry if you need to. Letting feelings out is helpful in the long run.
Ask for emotional and practical support from friends, family members, your community or religious centre.
Try to return to everyday routines and habits. They can be comforting and help you feel less out of sorts. Look after yourself: eat and sleep well, exercise and relax.
Try to spend some time doing something that feels good and that you enjoy.
Be understanding about yourself. Continue reading “Well being advice following Manchester Arena attack”