Useful Contacts
An alphabetical guide to finding health and social support.
Accident & Emergency
The (Accident &) Emergency Department (ED) is open to anyone who needs emergency care because of a serious illness or accident.
When you arrive you will be assessed by a senior nurse. You may have tests or investigations, and be seen and treated by other nurses and doctors.
Many people can go straight home after treatment, but you may be admitted to a ward at St Mary’s or transferred to another hospital for care, if necessary.
Age UK
Alcohol Dependency
If you have become dependent on alcohol, you will have found it difficult to fully control your drinking in some way.
You will probably need some help either to cut down and control your drinking or stop completely, and also some plans to maintain the improvement after that.
There are support groups and other alcohol counselling that may suit you.
Bereavement
The death of a loved one can be devastating.
Talking and sharing your feelings with someone can help. For some people, relying on family and friends is the best way to cope, but there are other support services for you too.
Carers
If you provide or supervise a substantial amount of care on a regular basis to a relative, partner, friend or neighbour, who is unable to manage on their own, you are a carer.
The following services provide support and information for carers.
Citizens Advice
Dementia
Although there is no cure for dementia at present, if it’s diagnosed in the early stages, there are ways you can slow it down and maintain mental function.
A diagnosis can help people with dementia get the right treatment and support, and help those close to them to prepare and plan for the future. With treatment and support, many people are able to lead active, fulfilled lives.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.
If you’re diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll need to eat healthily, take regular exercise and carry out regular blood tests to ensure your blood glucose levels stay balanced.
NHS Diabetes Advice Helpline
NHS England and NHS Improvement have launched a new helpline in response to disruption to normal diabetes services due to the COVID-19 pandemic and response.
The service is for adults living with diabetes who use insulin to manage their condition and require immediate clinical advice.
Whether you or a member of your household have caught the virus, or routine care has been disrupted, the helpline is available for immediate clinical advice to help you understand how to effectively manage their diabetes.
You can access NHS Diabetes Advice via Diabetes UK’s support line on 0345 123 2399 Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm.
Diarrhoea and Vomiting
Domestic Abuse
Help is available for domestic abuse victims, as well as their friends and family.
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Crime Service, Paragon and Hampton Trust (Isle of Wight)
Phone: 0800 234 6266
Email: paragoniow@theyoutrust.org.uk
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Phone: 0808 2000 247
Drug Addiction
If you need treatment for drug addiction, you’re entitled to NHS care in the same way as anyone else who has a health problem.
With the right help and support, it’s possible for you to get drug free and stay that way.
End of Life Support
End of life support involves treatment, care and support for people who are nearing the end of their life, and support for people who are caring for someone who is dying.
The links below cover what to expect, thinking about your wishes for your future care, and looking after your emotional and psychological wellbeing.
Flu
Flu vaccinations are free for: over 65s, patients with long-term conditions aged 18-64, if you are pregnant or a carer.
Stay well – book your flu jab appointment, or ask for a flu jab during a consultation – its best done between Sept to Nov.
It’s easy to do, no waiting in a queue – book online or over the phone.
Gambling
Hampshire & IOW Children & Young People’s Crisis Line
Freephone – 0300 303 1590
The Crisis Line is open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 3pm – 8.30pm including bank holidays
For any young person 11-17 years old living within/residence of Hampshire County Council & Isle of Wight Council (not Portsmouth or Southampton)
The crisis line can provide:
– Immediate access to safe & confidential one to one emotional support via freephone
– Crisis de-escalation
– Self-harm/suicide safety planning
– Advice of healthy coping skills & resources such as CBT/DBT skills, mindfulness, relaxation, self-care, positive mental health
– Signposting for both young people & parents
Heart Disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes all heart and circulatory diseases, including coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack, congenital heart disease, hypertension, stroke and vascular dementia.
It’s also known as heart and circulatory disease. Risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, increase your chances of developing heart and circulatory diseases. The links below can help you understand your risk and how you can reduce it.
Mens Health
Information and advice on health areas for men.
Mental Health
Some mental health problems can be managed without the help of a GP. There are a variety of materials available and local organisations offering help.
Mental health services are free on the NHS, but in some cases you’ll need a referral from your GP Practice to access them.
If your mental health difficulty is related to stress at work, you can ask your employer what occupational health services are available to you.
If you want to talk to someone right away, there are mental health helplines you can call for immediate assistance. These are helplines with specially trained volunteers who’ll listen to you, understand what you’re going through, and help you through the immediate crisis.
Minor Injuries
A Minor Injuries Unit can treat injuries that are not critical or life-threatening.
You may wish to consider calling 111 in the first instance before attending the Minor Injuries Unit at St Mary’s, Newport.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break.
It develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break (fracture).
Sexual Abuse
Help for the sexually abused, as well as their friends and family.
Sexual Health
Sexual health services are free and available to everyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin and sexual orientation.
Services and advice are available from:
Sexual Health Clinic (which can also be called family planning, genitourinary medicine)
(GUM) or Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinics
GPs
Selected Pharmacies
Young People’s Services
If you are not sure which service is right for you, call NHS 111, and they will be able to advise you.
Not all service providers offer the full range of sexual health services, and it’s always best to check what’s on offer in advance.
Smoking
Smoking is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK.
Smoking increases your risk of developing more than 50 serious health conditions. Some may be fatal, and others can cause irreversible long-term damage to your health, or to those around you.
There is advice and support to help you stop smoking.
Sign and/or Hearing Loss
The Wight Sense Sensory Service have experienced professional staff who can provide one to one help and support for any Islander who lives with sight loss or hearing loss and indeed those living with both.
Anyone can access the service you do not need to be referred by anyone. We will guide anyone to other services if they are more appropriate, we are here to help make sure you get the help you need as an individual. So, if in doubt please never hesitate to get in touch.
Telephone: 01983 240222
Email: enquiry@wightsense.org.uk
Website: Wight Sense – Wight Sense
Visit or in writing:
Wight Sense,
Millbrooke House,
137 Carisbrooke Road,
Newport,
Isle of Wight
PO30 1DD
Office Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Veterans
A veteran is anyone who has served for at least 1 day in the armed forces, whether regular or reserve. This also applies to Merchant Navy seafarers and fishermen who have served in a vessel when it was being used for military operations by the armed forces.
All veterans are entitled to priority NHS treatment for any condition related to their service. This includes veterans who don’t receive a war pension. Priority treatment includes assessment, treatment, aids and appliances for conditions accepted as being due to their service.
