Flu and COVID vaccinations will launch on Thursday 3rd October 2024 in Ellesmere Port town centre.
The clinics will be held in two locations:
*Weekdays: Civic Hall, Ellesmere Port
*Saturdays: Old Job Centre, Port Arcades
Please see below for clinic dates and times and eligibility criteria.
Please do not miss this opportunity to protect yourself and those around you this Winter.
Hope Farm Medical Centre is a part of One Ellesmere Port Primary Care Network (PCN). The PCN is a collaboration of the 6 GP Practices from across the town who are working together to develop better services for our patient population.
Advice & support leaflets
We have a range of leaflets, booklets and forms available for download on this page.
Your clinician may advise you to download one of the following documents following your consultation.
If you require any help downloading or viewing these documents please contact the Patient Services Team at the practice. Paper copies of these documents are also available from Reception if you would prefer to come in and collect a copy.
Click on the links below to download the documents
Healthy Ageing booklet This booklet includes information relating to health and wellbeing servicesfor older people within the Ellesmere Port area.
SMART Recovery leaflet This leaflet is about the SMART Family & Friends Programme which is designed to help you achieve a healthy, positive and balanced lifestyle while supporting your family and friends
Call the appointments hotline on 0300 247 0020 to book your appointment, no referral or prior GP appointment is required.
The service is run by HCRG Care Group on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Integrated Sexual Health Service.
Travel vaccinations
If you are travelling abroad vaccinations may be required. Our practice nurses will be able to advise you which vaccinations you require depending on your destination.
Please allow up to 8 weeks’ notice – this gives us chance to order the necessary vaccines from the manufacturer and also for them to take effect before you travel.
Hope Farm Medical Centre is a designated Yellow Fever Centre.
Child immunisations
Practices play a key role in ensuring the health and well-being of children
Child immunisations
Child immunisation involves administering vaccines to children at specific ages to protect them from various diseases. These vaccines help build immunity and prevent serious illnesses.
Child health reviews are offered by the practice by letter, telephone or text for children at 8 weeks old. Reviews are offered to monitor children’s growth, development and overall health.
Cancer screening
Cancer screening involves three national screening programs: bowel, breast and cervical screening.
Bowel cancer screening
Bowel cancer screening checks if you could have bowel cancer and is available to everyone aged 60 to 74 years. Regular NHS bowel cancer screening reduces the risk of dying from bowel cancer as bowel cancer is the 3rd most common type of cancer. Screening helps prevent bowel cancer or detects it early when treatment is more effective.
Getting Your Home Test Kit
Everyone aged 60 to 74 years registered with a GP in England receives an NHS bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years.
The program is expanding to include everyone aged 50 to 59 years.
If you’re 75 or over, call the free bowel cancer screening helpline at 0800 707 60 60 to request a kit.
Watch this video on using the NHS bowel cancer screening FIT kit.
Read more about bowel cancer screening by visiting the NHS UK website.
Breast cancer screening
Breast cancer screening aims to detect early signs of breast cancer. Breast screening services use x-rays called mammograms to check for signs of cancer. Mammograms are offered automatically by letter in the post for women aged 50 to 71 years.
Regular breast screening can find breast cancer before you notice any signs or symptoms and early detection leads to better outcomes.
You can read more about breast cancer screening by visiting the NHS UK website.
Cervical cancer screening
Cervical screening, also known as a smear test, is a test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. It’s offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64.
For those aged 25 and 49 years old there is a 3 yearly screening test, and those between 50 and 64 years of age have a 5 yearly test. This is a quick and painless procedure performed at the practice by one of our nurses (appointment is required).
Read more about cervical screening by visiting the NHS UK website.
Weight loss surgery privately and abroad
If you are considering having private weight loss in the UK or abroad please note the following important information:
The aftercare for weight loss surgery is of a specialist nature so for patients who have had NHS bariatric surgery, it is provided by our local weight loss surgery service, not their GP practice.
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside does not commission or fund a service to provide aftercare for patients who have had weight loss surgery in the private sector or abroad.
This means that we are unable to provide aftercare for weight loss surgery ourselves and we are unable to refer you for this elsewhere in the NHS.
The NHS has published guidance on going abroad for medical treatment (click here) and the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society strongly advises UK residents to be cautious when considering weight loss surgery abroad (click here). If the service providing your weight loss surgery is not providing you with the necessary aftercare, it may be possible for you to purchase this from a UK private hospital or clinic
Although NHS aftercare is not available to patients who have had surgery privately or abroad, please be assured that NHS emergency services are available should any emergency treatment be required because of any issues arising from your weight loss surgery.
If you wish to discuss this matter further, please contact the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Patient Experience Team:
Post – No.1 Lakeside, 920 Centre Park Square, Warrington, WA1 1QY
This information is based on guidance that has been provided by the British Medical Association (BMA) and it was developed by the Association of Cheshire and Merseyside Local Medical Committees.
Social prescribing
Social prescribing is an approach that connects patients to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. In social prescribing, local agencies refer patients to a social prescribing link worker, who give patients time to focus on ‘what matters to me’.
Our social prescribing service is run through One Ellesmere Port Primary Care Network who have employed a team of social prescribing link workers. Our social prescribing link workers take a holistic approach to your health and wellbeing, by looking at the wider determinants that impact on your health and wellbeing. This can include, but not limited to, finances, loneliness, low confidence, low mood and anxiety, housing, employment, education or diet and exercise.
Benefits of social prescribing
The social prescribing link workers take the time to listen to what matters to you, and to focus on your strengths to support you in setting your own realistic goals
By working with various agencies including the voluntary sector, the council and other NHS Services, the social prescribing link workers have a broad knowledge of what is available to you, allowing you to access the right support, in the right place at the right time
It is the aim of our social prescribing service to build more resilient communities and promote people’s autonomy to have more control over their own health outcomes
Referral to a social prescribing link worker
You do not need an appointment with your GP to make a referral to the social prescribing service. You can ring the medical centre and speak to a member of our Patient Services Team and let them know you want a referral to the social prescribing service. This will be actioned immediately. Alternatively, you can complete this short online form and upon receipt we will make the referral on your behalf.
Social Prescribing Referral Form
First Contact Physiotherapists
First contract physiotherapists, commonly referred to as FCPs, are physiotherapists who are based in GP surgeries and have expertise in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions. Our FCP service is run through One Ellesmere Port Primary Care Network and you can book an appointment directly with a physiotherapist via the Patient Services Team, which means you won’t need to wait for a referral from a doctor. You will be offered a convenient appointment for a face to face appointment to see one of the FCP practitioners operating out of the six GP practices in Ellesmere Port.
How can the First Contact Physiotherapists help me?
The FCPs are trained in providing a first contact service and will:
Assess you and diagnose what is happening
Give expert advice on how best to manage your condition
Refer you on to specialist services if necessary for further physiotherapy treatment
You may be eligible for an appointment with a physiotherapist for one of the following problems:
Ankle: ankle pain or ligament sprains
Shoulder: pain or dislocation
Hand: finger or thumb pain
Elbow: elbow pain, tennis or golfers elbow
Knee: pain, swelling or pain on walking
Foot: heel, foot or Achilles tendon pain
Back: neck, mid-back, lower back or sciatica
Wrist: wrist pain or carpal tunnel
Hip: hip or groin pain, or pain on walking
Referral to a First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP)
You do not need an appointment with your GP to make a referral to the physiotherapists. You can ring the medical centre and speak to a member of our Patient Services Team, and just let them know you want a referral to the first contact physiotherapists. The team will just confirm what area needs treatment to generate the referral and provide you with a time and date.
Mental health and wellbeing
One in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year, research suggests, with 90 per cent of those making primary care their first port of call for help.
Therefore we want to empower you by giving you the tools, advice and access to clinicians to support your mental health.
Whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one this page offers you detailed information on mental health provision and support across West Cheshire.
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 6485and 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
Need support with how you’re feeling and your mental health?
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
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
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
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/
