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In this issue, the following topics are covered:
- Flu vaccination
- Pop-up clinics
- Know your numbers
- Mental health support
- Breast cancer awareness
- Kingswinford community reuse and recycling event
- Dance to health
- NHS dental care
- Sight loss
- Dementia support
- Stay and play for children with additional needs
- Coping with babies
- Protection from loansharks
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Anyone who is eligible can now book themselves in to have a flu vaccine.
Flu is a viral infection that cannot be treated with antibiotics. It can get better on its own for many, but for young children and vulnerable adults, complications can occur making them seriously ill.
The flu vaccine is safe and effective and is the best way to protect yourself and others from flu.
It’s offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu and complications caused by the infection. The best time to have a flu vaccine is in the autumn to ensure protection before flu starts spreading.
Who can have the flu vaccine?
Pregnant women, younger children, between the ages of two – three years, and children and young people at school, from Reception – Year 11, will have been invited to have the vaccine in September.
For older adults, health and social care staff, carers and other adults at risk from complications caused by flu, the flu vaccine will be available from 3 October. You can book your appointment by contacting your GP Practice or on the National Booking System website or by calling 119.
For more information about flu and the flu vaccine please visit the Healthy Dudley website
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Do you want a quick health check? Do you have queries about immunisations or the winter vaccination programme?
Pop-up clinics will be open on Mondays in the Asda car park in Brierley Hill from 10am to 4pm and on Fridays in Dudley Market Place from 9am to 2pm throughout October. The friendly team are happy to answer any queries you may have about vaccines. Plus, if you are eligible and you want your vaccine, you can have it straight away.
Free heart health checks and blood pressure checks will also be available
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You have the power to help prevent a stroke and heart disease. But only if you know your numbers Just follow the BBC!
Contact your GP to check your:
Blood pressure and pulse
Blood sugar
Cholesterol
These checks, and more, are carried out at your five-yearly health check with the nurse at your GP practice, which is offered to everyone from 40 years old.
If you missed yours, or would like to get your numbers checked again, make an appointment.
Do you have diabetes?
People with diabetes, or whose families have diabetes, are more at risk from having a heart condition or a stroke. So, it’s even more important to attend all medical appointments. If you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, you can take advice to help you prevent it developing into diabetes, while also reducing your risk of further health conditions.
Find out more about health checks to keep you in control, at the Healthy Dudley website.
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It’s hard to know who to talk to if you’re in a mental health crisis.
111
You can now call 111 and select the mental health option (option 2) to get help 24/7 from a mental health professional in the Black Country.
Sanctuary hub
For out of hours mental health support, Sanctuary Hubs are here for you across the Black Country.
Suicide support website
If you’re thinking about killing yourself, worried about someone, or affected by suicide, visit the Reach Out website. Created for the Dudley borough, it gives advice and tells you where to get help
Please reach out for help, you are not alone.
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes place during October. Remember to give yourself TLC and touch, look and check your breasts.
Around a third of women don’t check their breasts. Even someone who has gone for breast screening should check them regularly.
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If you are worried about breast cancer symptoms, such as a lump, or area of thickened skin, don’t wait to be offered screening – see your GP.
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TOUCH your breasts. Can you feel anything new or unusual?
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LOOK for changes. Does anything look different?
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CHECK any new or unusual changes with your GP.
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If you are planning an autumn clear out you can gift household items and children’s coats at a Too Good To Throw Away community sharing event.
Unwanted items that are in good working order can be dropped off at Kingswinford Methodist Church, on Stream Road, between 10am and 3pm on Tuesday 8 October.
Required items include curtains, bedding, cushions, kitchenware, small electrical items, clothes, including children’s coats, food and unused toiletries.
Large furniture and white goods are not required.
All gifts will go towards helping individuals and families across the borough.
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Anyone who would love to dance to health has two new opportunities to combine exercise and fun.
Residents aged 50+ are welcome to join a free falls prevention dance programme. Dance to health classes combine strength and balance exercises with the creativity, expression and energy of dance.
Lye community centre
A taster session is taking place on Monday 7 October from 1.30 – 3.30pm. Weekly classes start from 14 October. Refreshments and social time is included and seated options for the dancing are given.
Book your place at dudley@dancetohealth.org
Online class
An online session on Zoom will take place on Sunday 6 October, to celebrate Silver Sunday.
Book your spot by emailing Charleyutton@dancetohealth.org
Both sessions can also be booked by calling Jodie and Amy on 07470 799540.
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Healthwatch Dudley, the local health and social care champion, wants to hear from people who have tried to access NHS care.
Whether you have had a good or bad experience, the team wants to hear from you to understand what’s going on for patients.
Complete the survey.
If you would like this survey in a different format, or want to find out more about the research, contact 03000 111 001 or email hello@healthwatchdudley.co.uk
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If you have significant sight loss, where glasses are unable to help you, Dudley Council’s Vision Support Service may be able to help.
The team provides information, advice and support to anyone with sight loss, to make life easier.
Help can include a free assessment at home, looking at how a person is managing, equipment that may help, home adaptations and other support with things such as getting out and about with confidence.
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Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, and its impact is huge on everyone affected, including families and carers.
Dudley’s Dementia Gateway Service offers support for everyone affected.
Find out what help is available.
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A new ‘fingerprints’ stay & play session is being held at the family hub in Dudley for children under two with additional needs and disabilities.
It will take place every Thursday from 10 - 11.30am during term time. It’s a great chance to have fun with your little one, meet other families and take part in activities specifically designed to engage.
To find out more call 01384 396626 (9am-2pm).
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Parents and carers, there are many ways to help soothe your baby.
Remember, if you’re finding it hard to cope, it’s okay to step away for a few minutes as long as the baby is safe, until you feel calm.
Check out the iconcope website for helpful tips.
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The Illegal Money Lending Team is raising awareness of the dangers of borrowing from illegal lenders (also known as loan sharks) to people aged 55 and over.
Illegal money lenders prey on vulnerable people and pretend to be friendly, offering a favour of lending some-much-needed cash.
If anyone thinks they are in this situation, they should feel no shame or blame – they have done nothing wrong. They can contact the team in confidence for support.
The warning signs of an illegal lender include:
- Giving you no paperwork or agreement on a loan
- Refusing to give you information about the loan
- Keeping items until the debt is paid such as your bank card or passport
- Taking things from you if you do not pay on time
- Adding more interest or charges so the debt never goes down
- Using intimidation or violence if you do not pay
Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending should call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline on 0300 555 2222, or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
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