January News

This month's newsletter is full of news and updates, including help with health costs, accessing local services and ways of boosting your heart health:

• NHS consultation - online events 
• Free prescriptions - are you eligible? 
• Suicide prevention & support
• Healthy Heart
• Care Coordinators
• Dry January

As always, you can contact us if you would like to share your views on health and social care in Barnet.

Online events - have your say about the NHS

The government has launched Change NHS. They are gathering people's experiences to shape the new 10 year Health Plan for England. In North Central London, the NHS is running two online events, to hear people's views. Book your free place:  

• Thursday 23 January - 2pm to 3.45pm 
• Thursday 6 February - 6pm to 7.45pm 

You can share anything about your experiences of the NHS. However, the consultation focuses on three key areas:

• Moving care from hospitals to communities
• Making better use of technology
• Preventing sickness - not just treating it

Are you entitled to free prescriptions?

Did you know, you may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you: 

• Have a household income of £15,276 per year or less
• Claim benefits including Universal Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Guarantee Pension Credit or Tax Credits
• Are supported under the War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and your treatment relates to specific conditions
• Have certain health conditions, and can get a medical exemption certificate - includes certain types of cancer, epilepsy, diabetes and fistulas 

Pregnant people or new mothers can apply for an NHS Maternity Exemption Certificate, valid during pregnancy and for 12 months after childbirth.

Use the NHS eligibility checker, and speak to your GP or healthcare provider to apply. As well as free prescriptions, other support includes the NHS Low Income Scheme or a Prescription Prepayment Certificate.

Suicide prevention & support

Barnet Council have pulled together a raft of resources on suicide prevention and staying safe. If you are a Barnet professional or volunteer working in public facing services, you can book onto this training for free:

• 12 February - in-person all day training - learn suicide intervention skills, how to identify people at risk and ways to support safety planning.     

Also, anyone can access free Zero Suicide Alliance training webinars.

People who have been bereaved by suicide can access free help from Amparo, if they live, work or study in a range of locations including Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington, or have been impacted by a suicide that occurred within these boroughs. People of any age, including children, can access the service. They offer one-to-one emotional and practical support, counselling and peer groups.

See this webpage for more information on apps, local support groups, and counselling services, including:

• The StayAlive App, which you can use if you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned about someone
• Samaritans - a safe place to talk, call 116 123 for free, 24 hours a day
• Andy's Man Club which offers peer to peer support for men in Barnet  
• The Listening Place - free, face-to-face, ongoing support, by appointment, for those who feel that life is no longer worth living
• Coping after suicide guides for social enterprise, voluntary & faith groups

Boost your heart health with more vegetables

Our Healthy Heart team have had a busy few weeks, working with peers in Barnet’s African, Caribbean and South Asian communities to promote heart health. 

As it's the new year, many of us are thinking about ways to be a bit healthier. Eating more vegetables is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support your heart health. Here are a few resources that might help: 

• The British Dietetic Association has a handy guide to how to eat more veg on a budget
• The British Heart Foundation has a set of easy recipes, showing ways eat more veg without even noticing
• The BBC Good Food website has hundreds of free recipes, including healthy versions of favourites like pad Thai, salmon pasta, burgers, brownies and more

Care Coordinators

Do you have a long term physical or mental health condition? Or perhaps you are just coming out of hospital and need help accessing services, or managing your condition? If so, the Care Coordinator at your local GP Practice may be able to help. 

The above video explains their role.  They help people to make the right connections with medical and support services in a way that is personalised to each individual's needs. Contact your GP to find out more.

Dry January

This year, thousands of people across the UK are getting involved in Dry January. It’s an alcohol-free challenge, brought to you by Alcohol Change UK, designed to help you reset your relationship with drinking.

Taking a break from alcohol can improve your sleep, energy levels, and focus, all while saving money. It's not too late to join, and if you are already taking part there are resources available to support you on your journey. 

In Barnet, support is available through DrinkCoach, offering six free, confidential one-to-one online coaching sessions. Nationally, the free Try Dry app offers tracking tools, motivation, and tips.