December News

This month's newsletter is full of news and updates, including child health advice for parents, and help with accessing health care locally:

• How to access your GP 
• Healthy Heart
• Barnet Health & Wellbeing Strategy - Survey 
• Free webinars: "My child is unwell, what should I do?"
• Barnet Diabetes Service
• Veteran Friendly Care Homes 

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

How to access your GP

We understand it’s sometimes difficult to arrange a GP appointment, and we’ve put together a short guide on different ways to contact your surgery.

We know some patients don’t have internet access, or have an urgent health problem – in these cases, it’s crucial to have the option of phoning. However, many GP surgeries in Barnet receive hundreds of calls a day. If you have a non-urgent problem, it may be quicker to request an appointment online. The guide also explains what to do if you can’t get an appointment.

Our guide breaks down the different apps GP surgeries use, including the NHS App, Patient Access and (in some cases) Accurx, eConsult or PATCHS. We explain the times of day when surgeries should have different apps switched on, and how to overcome common glitches e.g. what to do if the NHS App says no appointments are available.

Finally, we know GP access is a national problem. Our guide explains how we are feeding into campaigning, as well as working to make local improvements. 

Self-care this December

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. We were delighted to run a four week course at Everglade GP Surgery - our team provided culturally tailored outreach, and the surgery arranged for their Pharmacist, Dietician & Social Prescriber to help teach sessions.

As we move through December, we're conscious that the festive season can be joyful, but it can also be overwhelming! Did you know that managing stress is important for our heart health? This is because, statistically, if we're stressed, we're more likely to turn to habits like smoking, drinking too much or eating sugary comfort food. Here are some self-care tips: 

• Take a 'mind plan' quiz: the NHS Every Mind Matters quiz can give you personalised tips for staying calm and grounded.  
• Make the holidays work for you: if possible, try to plan ahead, avoid last minute rushes and keep your expectations realistic. Seek some downtime, whether through journaling, meditating, or simply pausing to relax. 
• Stay active and connected: movement can be a powerful stress reliever. Thrive LDN recommends light exercise, setting routines, and connecting with friends as excellent ways to stay on top of your wellbeing. 
• Get support locally: if you’re looking for extra help, Barnet Wellbeing Hub offers workshops, resources and access to local health practitioners to help guide you through challenges. 

This month, take small, mindful steps to enjoy the festivities while looking after your heart health.

Barnet's Health & Wellbeing Strategy

Barnet Council are asking for your views on their new Health and Wellbeing Strategy – their survey is open until 31 December.

In this survey, the Council are asking for your ideas early on in the process, before they write the strategy. The strategy will be drafted at the start of 2025, and all residents will then have the chance to share their views on the draft from February to April. At the moment, they are looking at four themes, and want to know if you think these are the right ones to focus on: 

• Start Better – giving children the best start in life
• Age Better – helping people to live healthier lives for longer
• Feel Better – promoting emotional (and physical) health and wellbeing
• Better Health for All – supporting everyone in Barnet to live healthily

Children’s health

Are you a parent living in Barnet? The NHS is running free webinars on the theme "My child is unwell, what should I do?"

There are four sessions taking place in December and January, hosted by child health experts. This will be an opportunity to learn about about common childhood illnesses and injuries, and to ask questions. The four webinars will all cover the same topics, and will be held on:

• Tuesday 17 December - 10am
• Tuesday 17 December - 8pm
• Tuesday 14 January - 10am
• Tuesday 14 January - 8pm

Find out more and book your free place at bit.ly/Childhealth

Barnet Diabetes Service

If you have type 2 diabetes and live in Barnet, why not ask your GP to refer you to the Barnet Diabetes Service? They provide information and support to help people self-manage their condition. 

The above video gives information about the service. You can be referred by your GP or another healthcare professional. The service is run by diabetes nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and diabetes consultants who can offer support and advice on healthy eating and lifestyles, including if you are a newly diagnosed diabetic. You will also get the chance to meet others who have type 2 diabetes. Contact details: 

• Phone - 020 8732 6824
• Email - CLCHT.Barnet.Diabetes@nhs.net  

You can also find out more here: clch.nhs.uk/services/diabetes 

Veteran Friendly Framework 

The Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) Programme offers free assistance to care homes, to help them support the thousands of veterans living in homes across England.  

The VFF programme can support homes with identifying veterans and their wellbeing needs, addressing social isolation and providing signposting to statutory and voluntary services. 

Care homes can access support from a dedicated VFF Project Officer, to help them meet and evidence the eight standards required to obtain VFF status. Homes can find out more and register at veteranfriendlyframework.org.uk, or by contacting a member of the VFF team: VFF@starandgarter.org.