SELF CARE
If you have a common illness or injury such as a bad cold, flu or stomach upset, then you can often treat your condition at home. A big part of recovery from these minor ailments is rest and to drink plenty of fluids. For minor cuts and grazes, cleaning the wound under clean running water and covering with a plaster or gauze and tape, will help prevent infection.
Plan ahead by stocking up on healthcare care essentials such as paracetamol or aspirin, indigestion remedies and plasters. You will find these at your local pharmacy.
Please remember to read any information leaflets that come with any medicine of treatments you are looking to use. if in doubt speak to a pharmacist, they are medically trained professionals.
Your pharmacist could help you
Your local pharmacist is a trained medical professional. They are able to provide medical advice as well as over the counter medication for things such as:
- Coughs and colds (including congestion and a sore throat)
- Earache
- Athlete’s foot
- Thrush and period pain
- Hay fever and allergies
- Teething pain
- Minor cuts and bruises
- Fever
- Blocked nose
- Sprain or strain
- Hangover
- Skin conditions such as mild acne, eczema or a rash
- Indigestion
- Dehydration
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room so that you are able to speak to a pharmacist discretely
SOCIAL PRESCRIBING
Patient information:
Linking Leeds is a city-wide social prescribing service for anyone aged 16+ and registered to a GP surgery in Leeds. We are currently offering telephone appointments to link you with services and activities within your community to improve and maintain your health and wellbeing. This includes:
- Housing Matters
- Money Management Skills
- Meaningful activities
- Social activities
- Emotional and Mental Wellbeing
- Healthy Lifestyle
- Coronavirus support: If the spread of the coronavirus has left you feeling isolated, worried or without essentials including food and utilities.
If you would like to book an appointment or have any questions, you can contact us on 0113 336 7612 or complete our online introduction form https://www.commlinks.co.uk/?service=linking-leeds
MENTAL HEALTH IS AS IMPORTANT AS PHYSICAL HEALTH
Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health. If you’re starting to feel down, anxious or stressed there are services that can help you. You don’t have to go and see your GP if you don’t want to. You can use self-help and get treatment without visiting a GP. See the list of services below that you could turn to first:
MindWell – for adults over the age of 18
MindWell is the single ‘go to’ place for information about mental health in Leeds. The website includes lots of resources that allow you to try self-help techniques as well as links to services that could help you.
www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk
Leeds Bereavement Forum
The Leeds Bereavement Forum works to develop and improve bereavement services in Leeds by providing access to up-to-date information, training opportunities, events and conferences.
www.lbforum.org.uk
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) – helping you to help yourself
IAPT provides psychological treatments, sometimes called talking therapies, to help people who are stressed, experiencing low mood (depression) or are very nervous (anxiety)
tel: 0113 843 4388
email: [email protected]
www.leedsiapt.com
MindMate – for children and young people up to the age of 25
MindMate is aimed at young people in Leeds to help support mental health and wellbeing. It includes some useful self-help tools like mindfulness videos, apps and information on support services in Leeds, plus details on coping with university life.
If you are worried that you may harm yourself or others please call 999
TOWARDS A HEALTHIER YOU
A healthier you
There are lots of things you can do to make sure you stay healthy and reduce the need to see a health professional. Making simple changes to your lifestyle could be all it takes to be a healthier you. To help you, there is a national campaign called One You which includes a quiz that helps you to find out what changes you could make: www.nhs.uk/oneyou
One You Leeds
Taken the One You quiz and want to know what support is available locally? One You Leeds provides a range of healthy living information about how to improve your health. So if you’ve been thinking about becoming healthier – maybe you want to quit smoking, drink less, eat healthily or just be more active – why not visit the website: www.oneyouleeds.org.uk
One You provides sessions at a wide range of locations including in our surgeries, at Crossgates library, at Foundry Lane Medical Centre and Park Edge Medical Centre and at the Old Gipton Fire station. Daytime and evening sessions are available.
Sexual health
Leeds Sexual Health is your one stop shop for sexual health services in Leeds. The site lists all sexual health services available in Leeds with information tailored for people aged under 25 and those aged over 25. Find out about services near you by visiting: www.leedssexualhealth.com
tel: 0113 392 0333
Leeds Stop Smoking Service
Stopping smoking will reduces our risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease or cancer. It can help to improve our breathing, give us more energy, boost mood and save us some money.
When we stop, it also helps to protect the health of those closest to us by reducing exposure to the dangers of second hand smoke.
When you choose to quit smoking with us, you will start to notice some of these benefits pretty quickly.
Get started now – Create your account and begin immediately. You’ll have instant access to all our free resources for self-guided quitting, the opportunity to join our online support community, or you can schedule support from an expert Health Coach.
Get Started | Leeds Stop Smoking Services
Or call us:
0800 169 4219
LOOKING AFTER THE MOST VULNERABLE
Are you worried about a vulnerable person?
If you have concerns about a child or adult who might be at risk of harm it’s important that you alert someone. If someone is in imminent danger then you should call the police on 999. If you’re concerned that someone is being exploited or abused you can contact the city’s safeguarding boards using the contact details provided below.
Leeds Safeguarding Children Board
If you are concerned about a child’s welfare, you can contact the Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Board on 0113 222 4403 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). If the issue can’t wait until the next working day please contact the Children’s Emergency Duty Team on 0113 376 0469 and provide them with a much information as possible.
Leeds Safeguarding Adult Board
If you are concerned about a person who is over the age of 18 years of age and you feel they are being abused or at risk of abuse from another person, you can seek help for them. You can contact the Leeds Safeguarding Adult Board by calling 0113 222 4401 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) or out of hours on 07712 106 378
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence and abuse is a serious problem. It includes, physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse – it is not the victim’s fault. Leeds Domestic Violence have a 24 hour helpline available by calling 0113 246 0401. Further information on local services is available here: www.leeds.gov.uk/domesticviolence
PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT TO PROTECT ANTIBIOTICS
Antibiotic resistance is a serious issue that could mean that treatments we take from granted now may not work in the future. This could mean that you or your family might not be able to get treated for conditions such as cancer or something as simple as a paper cut could prove deadly.
The main reason for this is that the bugs are becoming increasingly resistance to antibiotics. One of the main reasons for this is the overuse or misuse of antibiotics. That;s why we need your help to help us protect them so that we can continue to treat you and your family effectively.
It is important to understand that antibiotics don’t work on health conditions such as coughs, colds or the flu. This means that if your GP hasn’t prescribed you any antibiotics you don’t need them.
Pledge your support today so that we can keep antibiotics working in the future
OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES
Advonet
Delivers a variety of independent advocacy services. Advocacy means getting support to help you express your views and wishes and to help make sure your voice is heard. Someone who helps you in this way is called an advocate.
Call 0113 244 0606
www.advonet.org.uk
Citizen’s Advice
Citizen’s Advice provides free, confidential and independent advice to help people overcome their problems. They can help you with everything from money worries to problems at work, housing to consumer rights.
Call 0113 223 4400
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/leeds
Money Information Centre Leeds
The Leeds Money Information Centre can help you if you’re worried about money, in debt, struggling to pay bills or thinking of taking a loan.
Money Advice Service
The Money Advice Service is an independent service set up by the government to help people manage their money.
Call 0800 138 7777
Shelter
Shelter helps millions of people ever year struggling with bad housing or homelessness though advice, support and legal services.
Call 0808 800 4444
Welfare Rights – Leeds City Council
Free, confidential and impartial advice and support on a range of welfare benefits.
Call 0113 376 0452
www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Welfare-Rights.aspx
SOCIAL CARE/CARERS
Adult social care Leeds
Care and support services, also known as social care services, help people who are in need of practical support due to illness, disability, old age or a low income.
Call 0113 222 4401 to discuss difficulties you’re experiencing
www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Adult-Social-Care.aspx
Age UK Leeds
Offering a range of social care, health and wellbeing services and digital inclusion projects. (helping people to get online/use new technology) for older people across Leeds.
Call 0113 389 3000 or the national helpline on 0800 678 1174
Carers Leeds
This is the first point of advice and a listening ear for all carers. The service can be contacted by phone, email or home visit or by dropping in to the city centre base.
Carers can call in to the city centre offices (6-8 the Headrow, LS1 6PT)
Call 0113 380 4300
Leeds Palliative Care
Are you or someone you know trying to cope with a life-limiting illness? If you need support with distressing physical and emotional problems related to the illness, or the effects of treatment, specialist palliative care is here to help.
www.leedspalliativecare.org.uk
Macmillian
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, you’re not alone. Find out what to expect, get information, practical advice and support.
Call 0808 808 00 00
OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES
Home Start
Home Start help families with young children deal with whatever life throws at them.
Call 0113 244 2419
Gingerbread
Gingerbread works with single parents to help them meet their family’s needs.
Call 0808 802 0925
www.gingerbread.org.uk
Relate
It doesn’t matter if you’re married, living together, single, gay or straight, Relate have extensive experience in counselling, so you can rest assured you’ll find a counsellor to meet your needs.
Call 0300 100 1234
www.relate.org.uk
Crossgates and District Good Neighbours Scheme
Works with and for older people to reduce loneliness and isolation in the Crossgates area. Call 0113 2606565 Home – Cross Gates & District GNO (crossgatesgns.org.uk)
USEFUL CONTACTS
Leeds Directory
The easy way to find reliable, flexible services to help you live independently. Organisations providing services around the home and garden, personal care or trades are checked and vetted for peace of mind.
Call 0113 391 8333
www.leedsdirectory.org/
Leeds Housing Options
Leeds Housing Options is an advice service if you are homeless, at risk of homelessness or simply want advice about your housing options. If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, the will do everything they can to help you stay where you are or find alternative accommodation.
Call 0113 222 4412 (9am to 5pm Mon to Fri)
The Cinnamon Trust
A charity for people in their last years and their pets. A network of 15,000 volunteers help owners provide loving care for their pets.
Call 01736 757 900
www.cinnamon.org.uk
Leeds Community Podiatry Services
The Leeds Community Podiatry Service provides podiatry (foot) care across the city – together with specialist services for priority groups and those eligible for care as part of a specialist service.
Patients can refer themselves into the service by completing a Community Podiatry Service Application Form. This can be completed by someone on the patient’s behalf such as a GP, health professional or family member. The form can be obtained from: https://www.leedscommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services-a-z/podiatry-service/
Tel: 0113 855 5155 Email:[email protected]
The main office is open for general enquiries by telephone Monday to Friday 9.30am-12pm and 1-3pm.
WALK IN CENTRES
Walk in centres can be used for minor illness and medical concerns that do not need emergency car, such as coughs, chest infections, fevers, sore throats and headaches.
Minor injuries units deal with cuts, bites, sprains, bone, muscle or joint injuries. Some minor injuries units also perform x-rays.
Note closing times below may be subject to change. Please telephone ahead of your visit to double-check.
Walk-in Centre
Shakespeare Medical Centre, i Cromwell Mount, Burmantofts, Leeds, LS9 7ST
Opening times: 8am – 8pm every day (including bank holidays)
St George’s Urgent Treatment Centre
Tel: 0330 311 5106
St George’s rd, Middleton, Leeds, LS10 4UZ
Opening times: 8am – 11pm every day (including bank holidays, closed Christmas day)
Wharfdale Minor Injuries UnitTel: 0113 392 1647
Newall Carr Road, Otley, LS21 2LY
Opening times: 8am – 11pm every day except Friday 8am – 9.30pm (including bank holidays, closed Christmas day)