Need urgent help?

If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse or deteriorates, this can be called a ‘mental health crisis’. In this situation, it is important to get help quickly.

Please call 0800 145 6485 and Cheshire and Wirral Partnership’s (CWP) dedicated local staff will support you to access the help you need. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages – including children and young people.

It is operated by people in your local area who will know how best to support you. If you call NHS111 you may have to wait longer for help and will be re-directed to this local service – so call 0800 145 6485

You should still call 999 or go to A&E if you have an immediate, life-threatening emergency requiring mental or physical health assistance.

Help in a crisis, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

0800 145 6485

There are a number of support networks available to you without the need to speak to a healthcare professional. We have listed a number of those available to you, but if you feel your are getting worse and need to speak to some please see the information below on accessing mental health support from a clinician.

Silvercloud

Silvercloud is our online self-referral option that will enable you to access a programme full of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) techniques for anxiety and depression. It allows people to complete therapy in their own time, at a time and pace that suits them, whilst having regular weekly or fortnightly online reviews with a qualified mental health practitioner. If appropriate for you, the SilverCloud programme can be tailored to your specific needs. It offers access to a number of different modules that provide information about depression and anxiety and tools and skills to manage these more effectively. SilverCloud is particularly useful for individuals that have a busy lifestyle and would struggle to attend regular appointments during the day. If you would like to self-refer, please follow this link.

RE:SET

The RE:SET programme offered by Chapter Mental health is a series of 6 weekly workshops aimed at supporting patients to better manage their mental health and wellbeing. Through each workshop they will learn techniques and strategies to better manage their wellbeing, develop resilience, and help them to feel confident about staying well. For more information visit www.chaptermentalhealth.org/reset

Severe & Enduring Mental Health Support

Aspire: this referral is for mental health professionals and GPs to make referrals to Aspire, Chapters severe and enduring mental health support project.  The project is open to people aged 18 and over who live across the West Cheshire and Chester area with a severe and enduring mental health diagnosis. They only accept referrals from mental health professional or GPs so please discuss this with your GP if you feel that you would benefit from this programme. https://chaptermentalhealth.org/referrals

The End of Life Partnership – resources for the public

This source of information is a resource for anyone who is looking for information about death, loss and grief and support available within Cheshire. This information has been updated in light of the covid-19 pandemic to include information specific to the current situation http://eolp.co.uk/resources-for-the-public/

Cruse Bereavement Care

Grief is a natural process but it can be devastating, Cruse are there to support you after the death of someone close. They can be contacted on 0808 808 1677 www.cruse.org.uk

Support after Coronavirus

Coronavirus Wellbeing Support

This resource is for people with a diagnosed mental health condition who require wellbeing support during the coronavirus outbreak. The service is open to people 18 or over who live within the West Cheshire area. This is a self-referral form and can be accessed via https://chaptermentalhealth.org/referrals

Your COVID recovery

Supporting your recovery after COVID-19: if you find yourself recovering from COVID-19 you may still be coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both your body and mind. These changes should get better over time, some may take longer than others, but there are things you can do to help. Your COVID Recovery helps you understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery. https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/

COVID Recovery – Family, Friends and Carers

If a family member or close friend has been in hospital with COVID infection, this will have been a very stressful time for you, as well as for them. You probably felt very anxious and feared the worst at times, made harder by the visiting restrictions at the hospital and not being able to see your relative to offer them comfort or explain what was going on. You won’t have known the hospital staff caring for your relative and you probably had limited access to medical information and updates when you wanted a full understanding of what was happening. Support is available to family, friends and carers via their website.

Supporting those in work with their mental health

Access to Work Mental Health Support Service

The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is a confidential service delivered by Remploy and you can self-refer via 0300 456 8114 or via a2wmhss@remploy.co.uk. Their trained experts will help you with:

• Nine months of work focused mental health support, matched to your needs
• Suitable coping strategies
• A support plan to help you stay in, or return to work
• Workplace adjustments
• Getting support from your employer, if you’d like them to

To qualify you need to:

• Be in permanent or temporary employment (attending work or signed off)
• Have a mental health condition that has made you miss work, or is causing difficulties to remain in work

Further information can be found on their website.

Supporting your mental health through online services

YoungMinds

YoungMinds are leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges. They’re here to make sure you get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s difficulties. You can access support through: https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/

SANE Emotional Support

SANE provides emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers. Their mental health support services are confidential and offer non-judgemental and compassionate emotional support. They have a team of mental health professionals and trained volunteers available to create a space where you feel safe to talk about things that are most affecting you. They also make time so you can think together about the options available to you. http://www.sane.org.uk/support

Calm

Calm is an app for sleep and meditation and users have found that they are experiencing better sleep, lower stress and less anxiety www.calm.com

Need to talk to someone about your mental health

How to talk to your GP surgery about your mental health

Talking to a someone about your own mental health can be difficult and Hope Farm Medical Centre has a number of solutions for you.

If you feel very worried about your mental health or are considering taking your own life, you should talk to someone immediately. Please ring Hope Farm Medical Centre on 0151 357 3777 during opening hours or alternatively the Samaritans offer completely confidential emotional support 24 hours per day: call 116 123 (for FREE) or email: jo@samaritans.org.uk

If you’re noticed changes in the way you’re feeling or thinking recently that may give you cause for concern or distress it is important you seek help as soon as possible. Some of the most frequently experienced symptoms of poor mental wellbeing can include:

• Loss of appetite
• Feeling low or constantly anxious or worrying
• Thinking negative thoughts about yourself
• Irritability or moodiness
• Finding it harder that usual to concentrate
• Not enjoying your life as much as you once did
• Finding day-to-day life difficult (not feeling up to washing or eating, for example)
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Seeing or hearing things that other people do not hear or see

(Source: www.mentalhealth.org.uk)

If you recognise symptoms of any common health problem and are worried, or if you feel that something isn’t right but you can’t put your finger on why it is important that you speak to someone at Hope Farm Medical Centre. We know that it can be daunting to speak to someone that you may not know well about your mental health, but most people find that speaking to their doctors surgery to access help and support from them can make all the difference to their lives.

Social Prescribing Link Workers (for patients aged 18+ years)

You do not need a GP appointment to speak to our Social Prescribing Link Worker team, a member of our Patient Services Team can refer to them directly for you, just ask at reception or over the telephone. The Social Prescribing Link Workers can help with a number of ways for you:

• Support with housing and/or finances
• Gaining or losing weight suddenly
• Low mood
• Anxiety
• Lacking in confidence
• Loneliness
• Changes in employment status
• Long-term unemployment
• Change or breakdown in relationships

Young Person’s Social Prescribing Link Workers (for patients aged 5-18 years)

You do not need a GP appointment to speak to our Young Person’s Social Prescribing Link Worker team, a member of our Patient Services Team can refer to them directly for you, just ask at reception or over the telephone. The Young Person’vs Social Prescribing Link Worker can help with a number of ways for you:

• Emotional resilience
• Physical activity
• Smoking cessation
• Healthy eating
• Health related school attendance
• Behaviours and relationships
• Lifestyle related matters

Your GP

If you feel that you need more support than what the Social Prescribing Link Workers can offer, then your GP may be able to help. If you speak to your GP about your mental health concerns they can:

• Ask questions about your feelings and thoughts that may help you better understand what you are going through and what support is available
• Offer medication if it’s appropriate and in your best interests
• Offer free talking therapies
• Recommend simple lifestyle changes that can improve your mental health
• Invite you back for another appointment in a few weeks’ time to see how you’re doing
• Refer you to a specialist is they think that would be more helpful

Please refer to the ‘How to talk to your GP about your mental health’ guide from the Mental Health Foundation to make the most of your GP appointment. You can download & view the PDF guide, or visit their website.

Domestic violence support

People have the right to be safe in their homes and relationships. No one, whatever their gender, sexuality, age, culture, race or disability should suffer domestic abuse. If you are thinking about leaving an abusive relationship and are worried about your safety or the safety of your children, you do not have to suffer alone. There are people who can help, and you can take steps to stay safe.

• If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger telephone the police on 999. If it’s not safe to speak dial ‘55’ during the call to let the operator know you are in danger.
• For non-emergency police matters telephone 101.

Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Team (DAIPS)

The domestic abuse intervention and prevention service (DAIPS) offer a confidential service for male and female victims. This is for anyone aged 16 years and over. If you are experiencing domestic abuse and are at risk of serious harm from intimate partners, ex-partners or family members call 0300 123 7047 option 2. Their staff (Independent Domestic Violence Advocates or IDVAs) will support you and they will assess the level of risk and discuss the range of options open to you. You will develop a safety plan together they will work with you to help you take back control of your own life.

Refuge

Advice on dealing with domestic violence can be accessed via 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline) or www.refuge.org.uk

Gambling Support

Gamblers Anonymous

A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0330 094 0322 (24-hour)
Website: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

Gam-Anon

A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme is for those affected by someone else’s gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 08700 50 88 80
Website: www.gamanon.org.uk

National Gambling Helpline

Phone: 0808 8020 133 (daily, 8am to midnight)
Website: www.begambleaware.org

National Problem Gambling Clinic

A specialist NHS clinic for problem gamblers aged 13 and over.
Phone: 020 7381 7722 (callback)
Website

Drug misuse support

Cocaine Anonymous

A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0800 612 0225 (daily, 10am to 10pm)
Website: https://cocaineanonymous.org.uk/

FRANK

Free, confidential information and advice about drugs, their effects and the law. FRANK’s live chat service runs daily from 2pm to 6pm.
Phone: 0300 1236600 (24-hour helpline)
Text a question to: 82111
Website: https://www.talktofrank.com/

Marijuana Anonymous

A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using marijuana with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0300 124 0373 (call-back service)
Website: http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org.uk/

Narcotics Anonymous

A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using drugs with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0300 999 1212 (daily, 10am to midnight)
Website: www.ukna.org

SMART Recovery UK

SMART Recovery UK face-to-face and online groups help people decide whether they have a problem with alcohol and drugs, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
Phone: 0330 053 6022 for general enquiries about SMART Recovery UK (9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday)
Website: https://smartrecovery.org.uk/

A carer is anyone who cares unpaid for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health condition or an addiction cannot cope without their support.

• Do you look after a family member or friend who couldn’t manage without your help?
• Maybe you care for a child with a learning or physical disability?
• Perhaps you look after someone who is frail, ill, has a disability, mental ill health, or substance misuse issues?

Download the “Does my GP know you are a carer?” leaflet

Our doctors and full multi-disciplinary team manage and support patients with cancer. Please feel free to access your GP for further support as needed.

There are links below to additional support available.

• Macmillan Support home page
• Macmillan information for patients
• Entitlement to medical exemption from prescription charges
• Worry, fear and anxiety
• Tired, exhausted or fatigued
• Pain or discomfort
• Hot flushes or sweating
• Sleep problems

WHAT IS CARE NAVIGATION?

Care Navigation offers individuals choice by providing information to help them access the support that is right for them. ‘Care navigators’ can play a crucial role in helping you to get the right support, at the right time to help manage a wide range of needs. This will help you see the right person, to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time as quickly as possible.

WHY USE CARE NAVIGATION?

• Care navigation is a tried and tested model of care that improves access to primary care services for patients and helps to take pressure off access to general practice
• It is about offering patients choice and help them to access the most appropriate services first
• To improve the service provided by frontline staff in general practice

HOW DOES IT WORK?

• When you contact Hope Farm Medical Centre you will speak to a member of our Patient Services Team
• The Patient Services Team members will have been specifically trained to provide Care Navigation locally
• The team members will ask for a brief outline of why you’re contacting them and will be able to offer potential choices regarding the most appropriate services for you
• But it’s YOUR choice, and you will not be prevented from seeing a GP if you wish
• You may be provided with a choice in relation to an appropriate member of staff you can see within the practice
• The choice may also involve an alternative service which can meet your needs e.g. community pharmacy, stopping smoking or sexual health services
• Care navigation does not provide clinical advice or triage

CARE NAVIGATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHY ARE YOU INTRODUCING CARE NAVIGATION AT HOPE FARM MEDICAL CENTRE?

Care Navigation offers individuals choice by providing information to help them move through health and social care services and access the support that is right for them.
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Care Navigation involves members of our Patient Services Team being trained to support patients by offering them the most appropriate professional or service. This is being implemented to help patients ensure they receive the right care, first time and as efficiently as possible. This includes recommending you to a person or service within the practice as well as other NHS organisations, social care and in the community.
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Care Navigation does not prevent you from seeing your GP and will only be offered in cases where the reason for an individual contacting the practice relates to one of the identified ‘pathways’. Examples of which are:

In practice roles & services

• GP
• Advanced Nurse Prescribers
• Practice Nurses
• Healthcare Assistants
• Practice Pharmacist
• Occupational Therapist
• Care Coordinator
• Wellbeing Coordinator
• Social Prescribing Link Worker
• Physiotherapist
• Phlebotomy

Other NHS organisations, social care and community

• Community Pharmacy
• Emergency Dentist
• Optometry
• Sexual health clinics
• Health visitors
• Community Care Team
• Carers Trust
• Extended Hours

DO I HAVE TO ACCEPT THE ‘PRIMARY CARE NAVIGATION’?

No. Patients will still have the choice of whether to accept what is being offered through Care Navigation. A patient can still request to see their GP or another member of practice staff.

WHAT SKILLS / TRAINING WILL THE ‘CARE NAVIGATORS’ HAVE?

In-depth training has been developed to support the Patient Services Team in delivering ‘Care Navigation’. This has involved face to face sessions with all members of staff involved to develop a safe and efficient approach. The team have been trained to identify when other services might be appropriate to offer and how to communicate these choices to the patient safely.

HOW WILL INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPROPRIATENESS OF CARE NAVIGATION SIGNPOSTING BE TRACKED AND MONITORED?

There will be regular reviews of the process as well as of the services offered. By recording outcomes we can audit the patient journey and continue to quality improve the service.  This will ensure information is based on up to date details and requirements and that we identify areas that might need development as well as to add to the services offered as they become available.

WHAT IF THE CARE NAVIGATOR IS UNSURE?

The purpose of the staff delivering Care Navigation is to help provide patients with a choice of appropriate services and not clinically triage them. If there is any doubt regarding the suitability of an alternative service or support for a patient then they would be directed to a member of staff within their General Practice in the first instance.

WHAT IF THE RECEPTIONIST MAKES THE WRONG DECISION?

Care navigators do not make clinical decisions. Based on the information that patients contacting the medical centre with and are requesting support with, the staff delivering Care Navigation can offer a choice of what is available. The patient can always choose whether to take up the offer that is provided or choose to see their GP if requested.

Occupational Therapists support individuals with mental health or mental wellbeing issues, who are patients of working or retirement age here at Hope Farm Medical Centre. They will work with you to look at the things you need and want to do in your life and daily routine, at home, work or within the community. The tasks you struggle with and the strengths you have or resources you can use to help you overcome those struggles.

How to access the Occupational Therapists

Contact the practice to schedule an appointment with one of our Occupational Therapists. You can book an appointment to see or speak to either Rich or Gill, available Monday to Friday.

Learn more about our Occupational Therapists

Rich and Gill are the practices Occupational Therapists. You can learn more about them on the Meet the team page.

Occupational Therapist Service Patient Feedback