The One You team in West Kent have been very busy over the last few months, providing befriending and support services to those who have needed it during the lockdown period.
In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, we, like many services have had to change the way we interact with people. We have continued to support those who would like to lose weight, move more, drink less and quit smoking including running a successful trial of an online weight loss group.
Due to this success, following government guidelines, we are re-launching One You as a digital service until we can return to seeing clients face-to-face. This will include online weight loss groups, 1:1 video consultations and much more to help keep clients engaged and on track. To refer into our service, complete the online referral form. If you would like to contact us about anything, please send us an email to westkentoneyou@nhs.net or call 0300 020 0636
Talking therapy services offer time-limited, evidence-based psychological therapies. All services offer treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), stress management and sometimes group work.Psychological therapies can help with anxiety, depression, Stress, trauma, Phobias and other related problems. All services are operating remotely via telephone and online appointments. Therapeutic appointments are available weekdays and evenings and some weekend appointments are available. Visit www.wearewithyou.org.uk or www.iesohealth.com/en-gb for more information
A drive through pharmacy has been set up so cancer patients can receive vital medication without the need to enter Maidstone Hospital during the coronavirus pandemic.
The cabin, known as a Medicines Pick Up Pod – or mPUP for short, has been set up in car park B next to the Kent Oncology Centre so patients, or a relative or carer, can drive up or arrive on foot to collect their prescribed medicines.
Branded a Medicines Pick Up Pod, the temporary pharmacy is staffed by members of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s oncology pharmacy team.
For more information, please visit the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust website.
Every Mind Matters has expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing while staying at home. Here are some tips and advice around things you can do now to help you keep on top of your mental wellbeing.
Many of our services have been temporarily suspended, or being delivered in a different way. You can find details on our website about all of our service changes.
We are also busy recruiting new staff, including registered nurses and healthcare assistants, who are currently going through shortlisting, employment checks and interviews. We also urgently need temporary staff to cover shifts in our hospitals. All of the information about jobs can be found here.
If you are working from home, self-isolating or looking after family, friends or neighbours, you can find help, advice and resources on keeping active, mental health and emotional wellbeing, supporting children and young people, community support across Kent and support to stop smoking, at our website here.
The NHS is still here for you and your family. Please speak to your GP or visit minor injuries (or A&E if life-threatening) if you are concerned about your health or have an injury. There’s a handy guide for parents here.
You can find all the latest advice on symptoms and what to do if you think you have coronavirus at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
New services available from 20th April 2020 across Kent and Medway.
Mental health is something that affects us all and it can be really hard to know where to go for advice and support, a listening ear, and professional help that’s available immediately without long waiting lists. That is where we come in!
Mental Health Matters is a national charity that is passionate about supporting people with mental health and emotional welfare needs.
Across Kent and Medway 4 Safe Havens are opening in Canterbury, Maidstone, Thanet and Medway on 20th April 2020!
These are a safe place where people aged 16+ can access immediate support if they are feeling distressed, frightened, overwhelmed, feel like things are getting too much for them, perhaps feel suicidal or thoughts of hurting themselves, maybe they’re isolated or are in crisis.
The great thing about the Kent Safe Havens is that it is free, there’s no referral needed, it is easily accessible, the staff are very skilled and experienced, they offer a welcoming, safe, comfortable, non-judgemental and non-clinical environment. Kent Safe Havens are an out of hours service meaning we are available on evenings for people needing to access support with their emotional wellbeing and mental health needs through visiting the Safe Haven, calling or emailing us.
Kent Safe Havens offering support to more people, helping the wider community:
[Due to COVID-19 we have unfortunately had to reduce the service we are able to currently offer – therefore we are only able to provide telephone and email support at this present time. We hope to be able to provide face-to-face sessions again in the near future.]
| Canterbury Safe Haven Open 6pm-11pm every day of the year canterbury.mhm@nhs.net | 07876 476703 | 07483 163953 | Maidstone Safe Haven Open 6pm-11pm every day of the year maidstone.mhm@nhs.net | 07484 061684 |
| Thanet Safe Haven Open 6pm-11pm every day of the year thanet.mhm@nhs.net | 07850 655877 | Medway Safe Haven Open 6pm-11pm every day of the year medway.mhm@nhs.net | 07850 901151 | 07808 795036 |
Click on this link here guidance for parents on what to do if a child shows any of the symptoms or signs.
We are aware of a voice message being shared currently on social media regarding the ambulance response to coronavirus. The alarmist information being shared in the message is not correct. We would urge people to disregard the message and not share it further.
In line with our ongoing plans during this challenging time, we are continuing to follow national guidelines regarding the ambulance response and thank the public for their ongoing support in following the government’s advice
