Services and schemes available in Sefton to support residents to take control of their health and wellbeing are highlighted during a week long campaign (13-19 November 2017) from the borough’s two NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).

NHS South Sefton CCG is working with neighbouring NHS Southport and Formby CCG to celebrate Self Care week with a series of video stories focusing on the ways people can look after their health, as well as some of the schemes and services to help them to do this, by giving them new skills and information about taking better care of their physical and mental wellbeing.

Speaking about the campaign, Dr Andy Mimnagh, chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “The video stories featured on the CCGs’ websites and social media are an excellent way of highlighting how people can treat themselves and look after their own health and wellbeing.”

Sefton residents are also being reminded that one of the quickest and easiest ways to get advice on self care is to visit any high street pharmacy. Chemists can provide expert help and advice about caring for minor illnesses and ailments, along with healthy living.

Dr Mimnagh continues: “Many unnecessary visits to the GP or to the A&E department can be avoided through self care. When it comes to treating minor ailments and illnesses, it’s important to examine your options. By simply visiting your local pharmacist and having a well stocked medicine cabinet, many conditions can be better managed at home.”

As well as the regular support people can access from their local pharmacy, 17 across Sefton also offer Care at the Chemist, which ensures more vulnerable residents who do not normally pay for their prescriptions have quick, easy and free access to medicines for range of minor illnesses and ailments without the need for a doctor’s appointment.

Embracing self care is all about the little things people can do every day to live well and be healthy. Being active, eating healthily and learning when to treat common ailments without the need for a doctor’s appointment are all ways to embrace self care.

Dr Mimnagh also said: “There are so many easy things we can all do to help ourselves, such as keeping active, eating well, stopping smoking and limiting alcohol to recommended levels are all important in helping us maintain physical and mental health.”

The video stories featured on the CCGs’ websites and social media during Self Care week  highlight the range of help and advice available at local pharmacies in Sefton, the support for older residents to help them prevent injuring themselves due to falls at Active Lifestyle’s Active Ageing group, the methods and techniques residents can adopt to look after their mental health and wellbeing and much more.

NHS South Sefton CCG will be posting the video stories every day through self care week on this web page and on their Twitter account at @NHSSSCCG.

More information on how everyone can use self care to improve their health and wellbeing is also available on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk and from the Self Care Forum at www.selfcareforum.org.

Self care options in your local pharmacy 

Your local pharmacy has a wide range of services available to help you look after your own health and treat any minor ailments or concerns you may have. South Sefton based pharmacist Sarah Halpin provides some examples of the conditions you can treat by seeking advice from a pharmacist, as well as other health and wellbeing advice available to you free of charge in the pharmacy.

Another way to make the most of your local pharmacist is by signing up to our Care at the Chemist scheme, which is aimed at more vulnerable residents who do not normally pay for their prescriptions. Care at the Chemist is available at a number of pharmacies across the borough and provides expert advice and medications for a wide range of conditions, without the need for a doctor’s appointment. To find out more about the scheme, visit our Care at the Chemist page. 

Diabetes programme teaches new skills to reduce blood sugar levels

Healthier You: the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme has been helping Sefton residents learn how they can take take control of their health and wellbeing to help them lose a little bit of weight and reduce their blood sugar levels. 

Commissioned by NHS England, in partnership with Public Health England (PHE) and Diabetes UK,  Sefton’s Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme was one of the first programmes to launch nationally and will be available in all areas of the country by April 2018. Currently managed by NHS South Sefton CCG, the programme is delivered locally by Living Well Taking Control. 

You can find out more about the programme by visiting Living Well Taking Control's website, and if you're interested in signing up for the programme, speak to your GP, who will asses if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Active Ageing falls prevention group helps prevent serious injuries

For an older person, falling over can have serious consequences, and can leave people feeling like they can't get out and about like they used to, or go and see their friends as often as they would like. 

Active Ageing is a free 12 week programme designed to help with the prevention of falls for those aged 65 and over and who live within the South Sefton area. The programme includes a range of exercises which will help participants improve their strength and balance, in order to help reduce the risk of a further fall occurring.

Visit the Active Lifestyles website to learn more about the programme, and if you or someone you know would be interested in joining the programme, speak to your GP who will be able to refer you to the programme. 

Positive mental health and wellbeing advice from Access Sefton 

Psychological wellbeing practitioners from Access Sefton are explaining how making some changes to your life can have huge consequences for your mental health and wellbeing. Access Sefton is a free, confidential talking therapies service, commissioned by NHS South Sefton CCG. The range of mental health conditions treated by Access Sefton includes anxiety, depression, stress, phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic.

Some of the self care methods you can use to manage your mental health and wellbeing includes reducing your intake of stimulants such as caffeine, reducing your alcohol consumption, talking to a close friend or relative and much more. 

Visit the Access Sefton website to find out more about the service and how it works. If you would like to refer yourself to the service, you can fill in the online form on the service's website, call 0300 303 2708, email CWP.AdminAccessSefton@nhs.net or speak to your GP, who can refer you. 

Importance of mindfulness with Living Well Sefton 

Members of the team from Living Well Sefton talk about the importance wellbeing, and how this can have a major impact on your life. 

Living Well Sefton is a free service with a focus on supporting people with issues that may be affecting their health and wellbeing. It is collaboration of various Sefton organisations which have the expertise and knowledge to share with you. As part of the service, there are a number of living well mentors to talk to, who work with you on a one to one basis to identify health areas to see where small tweaks can be made in your life. 

If you're interested in finding out more about Living Well Sefton, visit their website, or give them a call on 0300 323 0181.