The Health Independent Domestic Violence Advice (HIDVA) service aims to ensure healthcare staff are confident and knowledgeable in recognising and responding to disclosures of domestic violence, abuse, sexual violence and exploitation, and quickly access the correct support for patients.

Advisors have been working with and training staff across the East Sussex Better Together area, so patients can  feel more confident in talking to their healthcare professional about what they’re experiencing.

The HIDVA is the specialist healthcare branch of the Portal, which offers support for survivors of abuse and violence.

This year the NHS turned 70, a milestone celebrated by NHS organisations across East Sussex.

To continue the celebration, a street party will be held on 30 August on Terminus Road in Eastbourne, bringing together local people, practitioners, volunteers and colleagues.

Terminus Road will be transformed into one big party, including cake stands, a raffle, a quiz, music and the opportunity to learn more about local services and connect with the local community. A proportion of funds raised at the event will be donated to Friends of Eastbourne.

Visit the East Sussex Better Together website for all the details.

More than 100 events are being held across East Sussex in September and October to coincide with the celebration of Older People's Day on 1 October. 

Events include health walks, film screenings, lifestyle and information events, coffee mornings, history talks, arts and crafts and day trips. Leisure centres across the county are also offering older people the chance to try a variety of sports, including aqua aerobics, Pilates, walking football and netball and badminton.

Older People's Day celebrates the positive role older people play in improving communities and the lives of local people.

Find out more about the range of events, how to join in and where to get the programme.

An East Sussex Better Together service is helping local people from some of the most deprived areas of East Sussex to take back control of their finances and improve their health and wellbeing.

Now in its fifth year, the ESBT Benefits and Debt Advice Project (BDAP) enables people to access their correct benefit entitlements and offers free, expert advice on managing debt to those with long-term physical or mental health conditions.The project helped more than 10,000 people last year.

The project also offers face to face support through outreach sessions at GP practices and other health and community locations.

If you thought your local community pharmacy was just a place to go to pick up your prescription, think again.

At a time when GP surgeries and other NHS services are under increasing strain, pharmacies are stepping up to the plate to play an increasing role in offering health advice and support.

East Sussex boasts more than 100 ‘healthy living pharmacies’ – community hubs where staff have extra training to provide health advice, support and services which help people live healthy lives.

Hear from pharmacist Sarah Park about what you can expect from a Healthy Living Pharmacy.

Did you know it costs the NHS more than £35 to prescribe antihistamines through a GP appointment, but you can buy your own over the counter at a pharmacy for just 99p?

Many common summer conditions – including hay fever, travel sickness or an upset stomach – can be managed at home using medicines bought over the counter at your local community pharmacy. You won’t need to visit your GP for a prescription so it’s easier, quicker, cheaper and frees up millions of pounds for NHS services such as cancer treatments and GP appointments. 

Learn more about how this can help the NHS.