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Welcome to the December edition. In this issue, the following topics are covered:
- Christmas prescriptions
- 111
- Pharmacy opening hours
- Mental health
- Suicide prevention
- Community sharing event
- Steps to avoid winter bugs
- Tackling loneliness and isolation
- Christmas food safety
- Free borough exercise sessions
- Rise in HIV diagnoses
- Drink coach challenge
- Stroke awareness
- Make the most of winter moments
- Stay safe at Christmas
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With Christmas and New Year approaching, make sure you order your repeat prescription in advance.
For more information on how to do this, go to the NHS website.
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This winter the NHS is encouraging people to get to the help they need by using NHS 111.
The NHS 111 service can assess and direct people to the most appropriate local service, including urgent treatment centres, GP practices, and consultations with a pharmacist. And, if needed, it can arrange a call back from a nurse, doctor or paramedic.
NHS 111 could even save you a trip to A&E.
People who need help in another language can call 111 and ask for an interpreter, British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact 111 using the NHS 111 BSL interpreter service by visiting 111.nhs.uk and text relay users can call 18001 111.
If you need urgent medical help but you're not sure where to go, use 111 to get assessed and directed to the right place for you. Call, go online or use the NHS App.
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Whether it’s a sore throat, earache or a urinary tract infection, for expert advice on minor health concerns, speak to your pharmacy this festive season.
Some local pharmacies may have different opening hours over the Christmas bank holidays. Search ‘find a pharmacy NHS’ to find an open pharmacy near you.
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Christmas can be a difficult time. If you are struggling with your mental health and unsure where to turn, contact NHS 111 option 2 for advice. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Freephone 111 or text 07860 025281.
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To help people struggling with mental health especially at this time of year, Black Country Blokes in its Christmas campaign have created a video featuring normal guys talking about their mental health and how they cope.
Watch the This Is Me video.
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Residents who are having a clear out over Christmas are being encouraged to donate to a community sharing event in the New Year.
The council’s next ‘Too Good to Throw Away’ event takes place at Chawn Hill Church, Pedmore, Stourbridge on Tuesday 14 January from 10am to 3pm.
People will be able to donate unwanted household items that are in good working order including curtains, bedding, cushions, kitchenware, small electrical items, clothes, food and unused toiletries.
Furniture, soft furniture and white goods are not required.
These items will then be shared between charitable organisations in the borough, including Provision House, which repurposes them for community use.
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The UK Health Security Agency is reminding everyone of the simple steps they can take to protect their health as they gear up for end of year festivities
This includes getting vaccinated against COVID-19, flu and RSV if you are eligible; keep washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds; if you do have respiratory symptoms such as a cough or sore throat, along with a fever, consider giving social gatherings a miss; and finally, practice self-care and use antibiotics responsibly.
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Local vaccination reminder
Anyone who is eligible can have their flu and covid jabs at pop-up clinics in January in Dudley borough and the Black Country – find out more.
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The winter months can be long and lonely. This is especially true for older people or those with a disability or long-term health condition. This is why it is important to check in on others and ensure they are safe this winter.
It is helpful to keep ourselves busy. For information on thousands of activities, services and events across the Dudley borough, take a look at the Dudley Community Information Directory.
Our Pleased to Meet You scheme offers short-term support to people feeling lonely. Our helpline offers a friendly chat, or the chance to find out about help in the local area, including assistance arranging for grocery or medicine supplies to be dropped off to you. Telephone 01384 812761 Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
There is also the Beacon Centre Befriending Project. This is a befriending service for lonely or isolated older people who live in Dudley borough. A range of support is on offer - telephone chats, email support, or, if appropriate, visits. Telephone 01902 880111 or email: referrals@beaconvision.org
You can find more information on how you can stay connected on Healthy Dudley, Dudley Council’s Public Health website.
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Some of the free healthy moving activities in the borough will take a break during the Christmas holidays. But they will all be raring to go to help everyone enjoy exercising inside and outside in the new year.
Park Active sessions are 45-minute outdoor fitness classes for all fitness levels.
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Park Active sessions
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Last session – December 2024
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First session – January 2025
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Stevens Park, Quarry Bank
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Monday 23rd December
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Monday 6th January
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Buffery Park
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Wednesday 18th December
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Wednesday 8th January
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Abbey Street Park
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Saturday 21st December
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Saturday 4th January
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Stevens Park, Wollescote
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Saturday 21st December
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Saturday 4th January
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Grange Park
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Sunday 15th December
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Sunday 5th January
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The four Healthy Hubs will break up on Saturday 21 December and re-start on Thursday 2 January 2025.
For updates and times on individual Wellbeing Walks please visit Healthy Dudley website.
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The latest HIV data for 2023, published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), show that the number of heterosexual men and women newly diagnosed in England with HIV has increased by more than 30% since 2022.
UKHSA is reminding the public that HIV can affect anyone, so get regularly tested and use condoms to protect you and your partners’ health.
An HIV test is free. If you do test positive, treatment is so effective that you can expect to live a long healthy life and you won’t pass HIV on to partners.
For free HIV testing and prevention in the Dudley borough, contact the What? Centre BeeHIVE
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Dry isn’t for everyone. Join the Drink Coach Challenge this January to start a journey to better health that works for you.
Whether you want to reduce drinking days, stop drinking solo, or cut down on measures, there’s a challenge for everyone.
Take the Alcohol Test - It’s free, quick and confidential.
Work out how risky your drinking is, access personalised advice online and find out where you can get support in Dudley. It takes just two minutes.
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Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, but timely action can save lives. Learn to spot the symptoms and how you can help prevent a stroke.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die.
Recognise a stroke – Act FAST
The sooner you get medical attention, the less damage is done.
F Face drooping. Is one side of the face drooping or numb? Ask the person to smile.
A Arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms.
S Speech difficulty. Is speech slurred, or is the person unable to speak or hard to understand?
T Time to call emergency services. If you notice any of these symptoms, call 999 immediately.
How can you prevent a stroke?
Up to 90% of strokes are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices and managing medical conditions.
Two of the most important things to do are to:
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Manage your blood pressure, high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. Get it checked at least every five years
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Check your pulse for an irregular rhythm. An irregular rhythm could indicate a major risk factor for a heavy stroke and can easily be treated to prevent a stroke from happening.
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A top and free family tip is to try to get outside and make the most of winter moments together with your little ones.
See if you can spot sparkly lights and other festive decorations. They’ll be really exciting for children and talking about what you see will help them learn new words too!
Find more winter activities on the National Literacy Trust’s website.
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The festive season is here and people want to enjoy themselves and make the most of the Christmas spirit. But even at this time of year it’s important to stay safe.
Safe & sound, Dudley’s community safety partnership is encouraging people to have a safe Christmas by following some simple tips like avoiding illegal money lenders and being aware of online frauds.
It’s easy to feel the pressure financially at Christmas, but loan sharks will prey on the vulnerable, and counterfeit goods can be sold online to unsuspecting purchasers.
The partnership is also highlighting the importance of planning a safe journey home from a Christmas night out and the fact that children and young people can become the ‘forgotten victims’ of domestic abuse.
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