
The new Freephone number 0800 783 9111 is for anyone who needs urgent mental health support, advice and guidance but callers may be charged if calling from a mobile telephone number.
On Friday 9 October a new Instagram account was launched, aimed at young people within NHS services and their peers; @kentandmedwaycamhs
The channel has been set up to help better support and communicate with young people who might be struggling with their mental health or wellbeing. The service wants to raise awareness and understanding of various wellbeing challenges and empower young people to feel more in control of their own mental health.
Below are some of the key aims for the account:
· Improving service awareness
· Helping young people to build positive relationships with social media
· Improving participation and young people’s involvement in service improvements
· Increasing young people’s emotional resilience
· Removing the stigma around receiving mental health treatment.
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. NHS England have provided evidence that online treatment is as effective as face to face and patient experience is reported as high satisfaction. Call 0300 012 0012 or go to www.wearewithyou.org.uk.
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.
The Kent and Medway Safe Havens are there to support your mental health 365 days of the year. If you are struggling and need to speak to someone you can just drop in. Available 6pm – 11pm 365 days per year for anyone 16+. Drop in no appointment is needed. There are now five havens open in Kent and Medway for more information go to www.kmpt.nhs.uk/Safehavenskentmedway
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