GamCare

GamCare is the leading national provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling.

Telephone: 0808 8020 133

Website: www.gamcare.org.uk

Help For Problem Gambling

Change Grow Live

St Helens Integrated Recovery Service is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults in St Helens.

Website: www.changegrowlive.org

Addaction

Addaction support adults, children, young adults and older people to make positive behavioural changes. Whether that’s with alcohol, drugs, or mental health and wellbeing, we’re here to help people improve their lives in ways they never thought possible.

Telephone: 01744 766210

Website: www.addaction.org.uk

Wigan & Leigh Recovery Partnership - Wigan

Wigan and Leigh Recovery Partnership is an adult service that provides Information, advice, support and treatment for those with a drug or alcohol problem over three bases in the Wigan and Leigh area.

Telephone: 01942 487 578

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Footsteps

Footsteps is a charity working in Warrington and St Helens in the North West of England. They offer listening, information and support to anyone affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use.

Telephone: 01744 808212 or 01925 244524

Website: footstepsforfamilies.org.uk

Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team

The St Helens Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team is a young person friendly service which offers a dedicated service for young people under nineteen in the St Helens borough who wish to receive information and support regarding their drug and alcohol use.

Telephone: 01744 675605

Website: www.yaz.sthelens.gov.uk

Drinkline

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence.

Telephone: 0300 123 1110

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Telephone: 0800 9177 650

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Email: help@aamail.org

Talk to Frank

If you have a problem with drugs Talk to Frank for friendly, confidential drugs advice.

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Text: 82111

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Email: frank@talktofrank.com

Autism and Asperger Society

The Autism & Asperger Society provides a social group/drop-in centre for adults on the autistic spectrum, and with Asperger’s Syndrome, who live in St Helens, Halton, Knowsley, Warrington and Wigan.

Telephone: 01744 362260

Facebook: @AutismAspergerSociety

Twitter: @TheAutismArk

Email: contact@theautismark.org

St Helens Carers Centre

St Helens Carers Centre has a weekly group for parent carers of children with autism/social communication difficulties, every Thursday, 10am-noon at the Carer Club House, 34 Hall Street, St Helens.

Telephone: 01744 675615

Facebook: @St-Helens-Carers-Centre

Twitter: @StHelensCarers

Website: www.sthelenscarers.org.uk

Email: info@sthelenscarers.org.uk

The Good Grief Trust

The Good Grief Trust exists to help all those suffering grief in the UK. They aim to find the bereaved, acknowledge their grief and provide reassurance, a virtual hand of friendship and ongoing support.

Twitter: @goodgrieftrust

Facebook: @thegoodgrieftrust

Instagram: @thegoodgrieftrust

Website: www.thegoodgrieftrust.org

Email: hello@thegoodgrieftrust.org

Survivors Of Bereavement By Suicide

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide exist to meet the needs and break the isolation experienced by those bereaved by suicide.

Website: www.uksobs.org

Wigan Council Bereavement Support

The following agencies and services are available to people looking for support with bereavement.

Website: www.wigan.gov.uk/Bereavement-support

Guide to if Death occurs at Home or in Hospital

If Death occurs at Home

1. Telephone the doctor who will visit to confirm that death has taken place.

2. Contact a funeral director.

3. Arrange to collect the doctor’s Medical Certificate of Death (usually from the surgery).

4. Take this to the Registrar’s Office, (together with the deceased’s Medical Card and Birth Certificate, if available) for the area in which the death took place. Alternatively you can register by declaration at any convenient Registrar’s Office but certificates will not be available as these will have to be posted to you a few days later.

5. The Registrar will normally issue a Green coloured certificate for you to give to your funeral director who will look after necessary arrangements for the funeral. The Registrar will also issue a white notification certificate for the DSS. They will also enquire as to the number of Certified Copies you require for dealing with the deceased finances (a fee is payable for each copy).

If the Death occurs in Hospital

1. Contact a funeral director to inform him his services are required.

2. Collect the certificate from the hospital then follow 4 – 5 as above

Wigan & Leigh Carers Centre

Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre is an independent registered Charity, that supports unpaid carers looking after someone who lives in Wigan Borough.

Website: www.wlcccarers.com

St Helens Carers Centre

St Helens Carers Centre aims to be a one-stop shop for Carers, in which they can obtain emotional support, information and advice and access services to support them or give them a break from their caring role.

Telephone: 01744 675 615

Facebook: St Helens Carers Centre

Twitter: St Helens Carers

Website: www.sthelenscarers.org.uk

Carers UK

They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

Email: info@carersuk.org

Cancer Care Centre

For information on the Cancer Care Centre, please visit their website.

Website: www.wwl.nhs.uk/Cancer_Care_Centre

Child Health information

Please see these child health advice leaflets.

In an emergency please call 999.

Abdominal Pain
Asthma
Bronchiolitis
Croup
Fever
Gastroenteritis
Head Injury
Sepsis

Support Services for 0-19's

They offer free support and guidance for young people aged 0-19 (or 25 if they have learning or additional needs).

Website: www.wigan.gov.uk/Support-services-for-0-19s

CATCH App

Download: www.catchapp.co.uk

Families First

The Families First Programme is funded by government and local organisations, to work with St Helens families to overcome difficulties and make positive changes. They will work with you to solve problems and make sure you get the right help, from the right people, at the right time.

Website: www.sthelenslscb.org.uk

Kooth

Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous online counselling and support service now live in St Helens which is online daily until 22:00.

The service can be accessed by all those aged 11 to 25 living in St Helens to provide near instant mental wellbeing support.

Website: kooth.com

Kooth Poster

Childhood illness visual guide

Use this visual guide to help you identify common conditions and illnesses that may affect your child. Includes conditions such as measles, slapped cheek syndrome, chicken pox and warts.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Vaccination planner

Download a personalised vaccination calendar, which highlights the dates your child needs to have their vaccinations by.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Let’s Connect

Let’s Connect is a Big Lottery funded project that helps people who are socially isolated or lonely back into their community and  build support networks around the most vulnerable.

Website: www.embracewiganandleigh.org.uk/lets-connect

Community Centres

Interested in enrolling in a new course, want to start a new activity, need a local venue for a meeting or event, thinking of volunteering? Then contact your local Community Centre to find out more…

Website: www.communitycentres.org.uk

Vee's Place

Vee’s Place is a warm and welcoming community support centre, based in Prescot. They provide support for people experiencing disability, poverty, social or economic circumstances and the elderly; ultimately improving their conditions of life.

Telephone: 0151 289 3602

Website: www.veesplaceprescot.co.uk

Email: info@veesplaceprescot.co.uk

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society

The Society provides reliable up to date information and will inform people affected by MS, their families and carers about what practical, emotional and financial support is available.

Telephone: 07521 166590

Website: www.mssociety.org.uk

Email: sthelens@mssociety.org.uk

Over the Rainbow

A social support group for young LGBT people meets in a safe space on the first Wednesday of the month.

Telephone: 01744 457242 (ask for Emma)

Pride in You

Pride in You is a social support group for LGBTQ+ who are 18 and above.

Telephone: 01744 457243 (ask for Emma)

Facebook: @StHelensLGBTnetwork

Stroke Association (Aphasia Support)

The Stroke Association provides high quality, up-to-date stroke information and will inform stroke patients, their families and carers about what practical, emotional and financial support is available.

Telephone: 01744 646160

Website: www.stroke.org.uk

Email: jean.hobbs@stroke.org.uk

The Youth Service Offer

St Helens Youth Service provides a three day per week youth offer. It is packed full of different things to do, from arts and sports to health and volunteering, and much more.

Website: yaz.sthelens.gov.uk

What's on in Downall Green and Garswood

Community Hall and Playing Fields, Billinge Road

Sunday: Garswood and Seneley Juniors (matches)

Monday: Garswood School of Dance from 16:00

Tuesday: Brownies and Guides from 18:00

Wednesday: Drama from 16:00

Thursday: Rainbows and Brownies from 17:00

Sessions for 10 to 18-year-olds:
Table tennis, first and third Thursday
Body weight fitness, second Thursday
Boxing fitness, third Thursday
Nerf battles, fourth Thursday

Friday: Baby sensory sessions from 10:00

Saturday: Garswood School of Dance from 09:00
Garswood and Seneley Juniors (matches)
Garswood Stags AFC (matches)

Garswood Primary School, Hamilton Road

Thursday: 09:00-10:30, Tots Club; £1.50 (includes tea/coffee for parents/carers)

Diabetes.co.uk

They are a community of people with diabetes, family members, friends, supporters and carers, offering their own support and first hand knowledge. The Diabetes Forum is demonstrated in research to be the most actively used social medium for people with diabetes.

Website: www.diabetes.co.uk

Diabetes Centre - St Helens Hospital

Over the last decade, the team have strived (and succeeded) to establish a high quality service with engagement and involvement of its users. The Diabetes Centre has an active research programme and has received recognition for its high quality diabetes service.

Telephone: (non-urgent only) 01744 646 266

Website: www.sthk.nhs.uk

Diabetes Drop-In Clinic

Drop-in clinic is only available for patients who are currently attending and known to the St Helens Hospital Diabetes Centre.

Telephone: 01744 646244

Address: Diabetes Centre, St Helens Hospital, Marshalls Cross Road, St Helens, WA9 3DA

Diabetes UK - North West

Our aim is to influence healthcare provision and improve services for people with diabetes at a local level, together with raising awareness.

Telephone: 01925 653281

Fax: 01925 653288

Website: www.diabetes.org.uk

Email: n.west@diabetes.org.uk 

My Diabetes: Cheshire and Merseyside

The My Diabetes: Cheshire and Merseyside website provides information about diabetes, from videos, leaflets and e-learning courses, to help you understand more about your diabetes and increase your confidence in how to manage it.

Website: cm.mydiabetes.com

Chrysalis Centre For Change

Chrysalis Centre For Change aim to support women who have been affected by domestic violence.

Website: www.chrysaliscentreforchange.co.uk

Safe2Speak Domestic Violence Abuse Service

Safe2Speak Domestic Violence Abuse Service offer advice to high risk victims on a range of areas.

Website: www.sthelensgateway.info/safe2speak

DIAS

DIAS works with women and men who are experiencing or recovering from domestic violence and abusive relationships, and helps them to regain control of the situation.

Telephone: 01942 495230

Website: www.diasdvc.org

Happy Hearts

The aim of Cheshire & Merseyside’s Happy Hearts website is to help you reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack by giving you lots of information and tips on keeping your heart happy.

Telephone: 0151 666 5123

Website: www.happy-hearts.co.uk/about

Email: champscommunications@wirral.gov.uk

Dying Matters

Dying Matters is a coalition of individual and organisational members across England and Wales, which aims to help people talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life.

Website: www.dyingmatters.org

Recording care preferences during COVID-19 outbreak

There are two things in life in which we can all be certain of. We are all born and at some time we will all die. Sadly in the current COVID 19 Pandemic, the latter is more likely to be on the minds of many people and may be causing some anxieties. We want to help you with regard to your options in thinking about what is important to you and what care might be best for you. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is prompting many people to think about the treatment and care we receive at the end of life. The importance of having a personalised care plan in place, especially for older people, people who are frail or who have serious conditions has never been more important than now during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Planning for care at the end of life is as important as having a birth plan, but often seen to be more difficult to discuss. It goes against our instinct to start planning now for our death. But every adult, of whatever age can look ahead and ask, “what if and what would I want?”

Having these conversations and having a plan provides an opportunity to record feelings, priorities and personal wishes and allows time for discussion. It may not always be possible to follow the plan if complications arise, so the plan needs to be flexible and open to change following discussion and review with all involved in the decision-making process. These discussions are part of preparing for new beginnings and are widely accepted as normal. There are ways to do this now by accessing resources, plan for the inevitable and reduce worry and heartache for your loved ones.

You can choose to make a plan now but review it at a later date in case you want to make adjustments

If you have an opinion about what you would or would not want to happen to you if you became unwell at this time, it’s really important to tell your family and your doctor, and write it down. It is much better to do this now, while you have time to think about it and are able to talk to that close. This is not something new, for many years people have had discussions with loved ones, family members and healthcare professionals to ensure their wishes are documented and known in preparation for end of life care. This is known as Advance Care Planning. We know that many of you have had these important conversations and have recorded your decisions. However, we are concerned that there are still some people that might not have done this yet but who would like to do so. It may be that you have discussed your wishes but not yet documented them or shared them with your GP. By sharing this information with your GP, your records can be updated so that your wishes will be recorded and those who are caring for you will know this important information based on what you have decided about your care & treatment.

If, in the event that you become unwell and you have decided that you would like to stay at home, please be assured that there are services available locally to provide care in at home if this is your preferred place of care. It would help your GP to have this documented in your GP records in order to help you access these services in a timely manner should they be required.

Co-ordinated advanced care planning improves end of life care as it assists in identifying and respecting a person’s wishes about end of life care. This is important to all involved in the care at this time; you as a patient, your loved ones and health care workers. From a family perspective it reduces the incidence of stress, anxiety, and depression in surviving relatives when important conversations have already taken place and the wishes are already known. Your family would know that the care being given, and decisions made are based on your wishes. It may be that you are reading this and thinking about completing an advanced care plan for yourself or helping a loved one. If it is for a loved one currently in isolation, please consider picking up the phone and discussing these important issues.

We know they are difficult conversations to have, but they are so important and for many people, having the conversation with someone who knows and cares about them is going to be much kinder than from a stranger or when feeling unwell. These documents can be completed from the comfort of people’s homes with free specialist support without the need of a solicitor. It is not compulsory to make an advance care plan/decision/statement. It is entirely your decision whether you feel it would be better for you to have these important conversations and you should not feel pressured to make these decisions if you choose not to. If you choose not to do this, your future treatment will proceed with Clinicians making decisions in your best interest in the event that you are unable to communicate your wishes.

We hope that this information will go some way to helping those who do want to have the conversation around these important decisions to do so. We would like you to be able to make informed choices, allay some of your fears and misconceptions and allow you to get on with living. If, after having time to consider this information or discuss with those you want to, you decide that you would like to complete some or all of the above Advanced Care Planning options, there is help available.

You can complete your own plan and share with your GP via post (our letter boxes remain open) or by email to contact.billingesurgery@nhs.net Please remember to indicate your preferred contact number so that we can contact you to confirm receipt and discuss with you.

If however, you would like help in completing any aspect of an advanced care plan this can be done by a health care practitioner. In normal circumstances, ideally these discussions would take place with a health care professional that you are familiar with, at an appropriate time and during a planned appointment as part of review of your care and treatment. Unfortunately due to the current COVID-19 social distancing measures, it is not possible to do this in person. We understand that this is a really important part of the care that needs to be provided to many people. We can still have these discussions via telephone if you want to.

You can contact your GP surgery and request a call to discuss advanced care planning with a member of the clinical team at your practice. You can request this to be with a clinician that you know and would feel comfortable in having a discussion with. This may be your GP, Practice Nurse, Advanced Practitioner or HealthCare Assistant. Please inform us when making your request if there is a preferred person that you would like to speak to.

Where possible we will try to our best to accommodate your request, however it might not always be possible, in which case another member of our team will be happy to assist you. These requests can be made by phone or by email via www.billingemedicalpractice.org.uk

If you would like further information and support to proceed in making your wishes and decisions more formal, the attached leaflet provides further advice and details some excellent resources available to help you: DNACPR Patient leaflet

The link below is also another useful resource using videos to communicate the important messages from this document and the attached leaflet.

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/palliative-care/lets-talk-videos-to-support-patient-and-carer-conversations.aspx

If you feel anxious after reading this information, support is available at www.nhs follow the link to mental health and well-being, or contact us.

Wigan Council Homelessness

Wigan Council has resources to help support with homelessness.

Website: www.wigan.gov.uk/Homelessness

The Bridges Learning Centre

The Service supports homeless people by improving their access to primary health care, housing and welfare support. Assistance is given in improving the physical, emotional and social functioning of homeless individuals including substance misuse and mental health treatment.

Telephone: 0151 4207619

Address: The Bridges Learning Centre, Crow Wood Lane, Widnes, WA8 3LZ

The Hope Centre

The Hope Centre provides a basic needs and personal care service for local homeless and those at risk of homelessness and offers advice, advocacy and support to support those in need.

Telephone: 01744 26414

Website: www.hopecentre.org.uk

Email: info@hopecentre.org.uk

George House Trust

George House Trust has been providing HIV support, advice and advocacy services to improve health outcomes since 1985. We are a service user centred organisation, with a diverse team of highly trained and knowledgeable staff and volunteers.

Telephone: 0161 274 4499

 Website: www.ght.org.uk

Email: talk@ght.org.uk

LGBT Foundation

The LGBT Foundation aims to secure a safe, healthy and equal future for all LGBT people.

Telephone: 0345 330 3030

Website: lgbt.foundation

View the LGBT Foundation poster

Over the Rainbow

Over the Rainbow is a part social, part support group for young people aged 13 to 25 who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans, questioning or unsure of their sexuality or gender identity.

A closed, confidential youth group meets on the first Wednesday of the month.

Telephone: 01744 457242 (ask for Emma)

Website: www.sthelensgateway.info/over-the-rainbow

Pride in You

Pride in You is a social support group for LGBTQ+ who are 18 and above.

Telephone: 01744 457243 (ask for Emma)

Facebook: @StHelensLGBTnetwork

Beat Eating Disorders

One in five gay and bisexual people are estimated to have problems with their weight or eating – this is about four times higher than the general population.

Website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Screening Information for Trans People

Find out more about NHS Screening programmes for trans people: PHE Information for trans people

Signposting

Lesbian, gay, bi, trans? The LGBT Foundation is there if you need support.

Website: lgbt.foundation

Telephone: 0345 330 3030

Please see our Signposting document

Early Pregnancy Clinic/Midwifery

Whiston Hospital, Prescot

Patients should contact the clinic directly; they will then be triaged by a member of the clinical team which may result in an appointment date and time to attend for a blood test and / or ultrasound scan.

Patients must call to make an appointment even if they have been referred by a healthcare professional.

Attendance at the Early Pregnancy Clinic is by appointment only.

Telephone: 0151 2904 356

Family Nurse Partnership

Giving information and advice to mothers aged 19 and under.

Website: www.fnp.nhs.uk

Maternity & Gynaecology

To achieve women’s expectations the service aims to offer a friendly, supportive and safe service for women, their partners, babies and their families. They believe in promoting normality in pregnancy and labour and strive to maximise one to one care during labour, promotion of skin to skin and breastfeeding.

Website: www.sthk.nhs.uk

Telephone: 0151 4261600

Baby Buddy App

Baby Buddy is an award winning mobile phone app for new parents and parents-to-be, created by mums, doctors and midwives.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

24-hour Mental Health Helpline

Call 0800 051 3253 if you live in Wigan

Call 0800 051 1508 if you live in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens or Warrington

Zero Suicide Alliance

The Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) is a collaboration of National Health Service trusts, charities, businesses and individuals who are all committed to suicide prevention in the UK and beyond. We are an alliance of people and organisations coming together around one basic principle: Suicide is preventable.

Website: www.zerosuicidealliance.com

Mind: St Helens

St.Helens Mind is a voluntary organisation working with people living in the Borough, who are aged 18+ and who experience distress or isolation because of mental health difficulties. The Befriending Service will provide support for people who feel isolated or alone due to the effects of mental illness.

Website: www.sthelensmind.org.uk/befriending

NWBH Mental Health Services

A complete list of the services North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS offer in regards to mental health.

Website: www.nwbh.nhs.uk/st-helens

St Helens Mind

St Helens Mind aims to promote and preserve good mental health and to assist those experiencing mental distress to regain their full potential.

Telephone: 01744 647089

Facebook: @sthelensmind

Twitter: @sthelensmind

Website: www.mind.org.uk

Email: admin@sthelensmind.org.uk

Think Wellbeing - Wigan

Think Wellbeing offers free NHS therapy for people in Ashton, Leigh and Wigan with common mental health problems like anxiety or depression, to help you change the way you feel by changing the way you think.

Telephone: 01942 264 051 (Ashton & Leigh), or 01942 255 675 (Wigan)

Website: www.nwbh.nhs.uk/iapt-wigan

Kooth

Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous online counselling and support service now live in St Helens which is online daily until 22:00.

The service can be accessed by all those aged 11 to 25 living in St Helens to provide near instant mental wellbeing support.

Website: kooth.com

Kooth Poster

CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK and the cause of 18 deaths every day.

Helpline (17:00-00:00): 0800 58 58 58

Facebook: @theCALMzone

Twitter: @theCALMzone

Website: www.thecalmzone.net

Hopeline UK

Hopeline UK advisers want to work with you, if you are under the age of 35, or are concerned about a young person, to understand why thoughts of suicide might be present. They also want to provide you with a safe space to talk through anything happening in your life.

Telephone: 0800 068 4141

Text: 07860039967

Website: papyrus-uk.org/hopelineuk

Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

Samaritans

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Telephone: 116 123

Website: www.samaritans.org

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Rethink

Rethink provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.

Telephone: 0300 5000 927

Website: www.rethink.org

Email: info@rethink.org

More services for young people

U 3 A - St Helens

Website: www.u3asites.org.uk/st-helens

Older People Care Needs

Care in your own home is provided to people who need support with daily living tasks such as washing or dressing, or tasks such as support with medication or finances.

Website: www.sthelens.gov.uk

Recording care preferences during COVID-19 outbreak

There are two things in life in which we can all be certain of. We are all born and at some time we will all die. Sadly in the current COVID 19 Pandemic, the latter is more likely to be on the minds of many people and may be causing some anxieties. We want to help you with regard to your options in thinking about what is important to you and what care might be best for you. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is prompting many people to think about the treatment and care we receive at the end of life. The importance of having a personalised care plan in place, especially for older people, people who are frail or who have serious conditions has never been more important than now during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Planning for care at the end of life is as important as having a birth plan, but often seen to be more difficult to discuss. It goes against our instinct to start planning now for our death. But every adult, of whatever age can look ahead and ask, “what if and what would I want?”

Having these conversations and having a plan provides an opportunity to record feelings, priorities and personal wishes and allows time for discussion. It may not always be possible to follow the plan if complications arise, so the plan needs to be flexible and open to change following discussion and review with all involved in the decision-making process. These discussions are part of preparing for new beginnings and are widely accepted as normal. There are ways to do this now by accessing resources, plan for the inevitable and reduce worry and heartache for your loved ones.

You can choose to make a plan now but review it at a later date in case you want to make adjustments

If you have an opinion about what you would or would not want to happen to you if you became unwell at this time, it’s really important to tell your family and your doctor, and write it down. It is much better to do this now, while you have time to think about it and are able to talk to that close. This is not something new, for many years people have had discussions with loved ones, family members and healthcare professionals to ensure their wishes are documented and known in preparation for end of life care. This is known as Advance Care Planning. We know that many of you have had these important conversations and have recorded your decisions. However, we are concerned that there are still some people that might not have done this yet but who would like to do so. It may be that you have discussed your wishes but not yet documented them or shared them with your GP. By sharing this information with your GP, your records can be updated so that your wishes will be recorded and those who are caring for you will know this important information based on what you have decided about your care & treatment.

If, in the event that you become unwell and you have decided that you would like to stay at home, please be assured that there are services available locally to provide care in at home if this is your preferred place of care. It would help your GP to have this documented in your GP records in order to help you access these services in a timely manner should they be required.

Co-ordinated advanced care planning improves end of life care as it assists in identifying and respecting a person’s wishes about end of life care. This is important to all involved in the care at this time; you as a patient, your loved ones and health care workers. From a family perspective it reduces the incidence of stress, anxiety, and depression in surviving relatives when important conversations have already taken place and the wishes are already known. Your family would know that the care being given, and decisions made are based on your wishes. It may be that you are reading this and thinking about completing an advanced care plan for yourself or helping a loved one. If it is for a loved one currently in isolation, please consider picking up the phone and discussing these important issues.

We know they are difficult conversations to have, but they are so important and for many people, having the conversation with someone who knows and cares about them is going to be much kinder than from a stranger or when feeling unwell. These documents can be completed from the comfort of people’s homes with free specialist support without the need of a solicitor. It is not compulsory to make an advance care plan/decision/statement. It is entirely your decision whether you feel it would be better for you to have these important conversations and you should not feel pressured to make these decisions if you choose not to. If you choose not to do this, your future treatment will proceed with Clinicians making decisions in your best interest in the event that you are unable to communicate your wishes.

We hope that this information will go some way to helping those who do want to have the conversation around these important decisions to do so. We would like you to be able to make informed choices, allay some of your fears and misconceptions and allow you to get on with living. If, after having time to consider this information or discuss with those you want to, you decide that you would like to complete some or all of the above Advanced Care Planning options, there is help available.

You can complete your own plan and share with your GP via post (our letter boxes remain open) or by email to contact.billingesurgery@nhs.net Please remember to indicate your preferred contact number so that we can contact you to confirm receipt and discuss with you.

If however, you would like help in completing any aspect of an advanced care plan this can be done by a health care practitioner. In normal circumstances, ideally these discussions would take place with a health care professional that you are familiar with, at an appropriate time and during a planned appointment as part of review of your care and treatment. Unfortunately due to the current COVID-19 social distancing measures, it is not possible to do this in person. We understand that this is a really important part of the care that needs to be provided to many people. We can still have these discussions via telephone if you want to.

You can contact your GP surgery and request a call to discuss advanced care planning with a member of the clinical team at your practice. You can request this to be with a clinician that you know and would feel comfortable in having a discussion with. This may be your GP, Practice Nurse, Advanced Practitioner or HealthCare Assistant. Please inform us when making your request if there is a preferred person that you would like to speak to.

Where possible we will try to our best to accommodate your request, however it might not always be possible, in which case another member of our team will be happy to assist you. These requests can be made by phone or by email via www.billingemedicalpractice.org.uk

If you would like further information and support to proceed in making your wishes and decisions more formal, the attached leaflet provides further advice and details some excellent resources available to help you: DNACPR Patient leaflet

The link below is also another useful resource using videos to communicate the important messages from this document and the attached leaflet.

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/palliative-care/lets-talk-videos-to-support-patient-and-carer-conversations.aspx

If you feel anxious after reading this information, support is available at www.nhs follow the link to mental health and well-being, or contact us.

Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 0800 4 70 80 90

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Dementia

Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

Email: helpline@dementiauk.org

Age UK

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.

Telephone: 0800 055 6112

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

NWBH Musculoskeletal Service

North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS musculoskeletal service provide physical activity advice and support for a patients with joint and muscle conditions.

Please speak to your GP to arrange an appointment with the service or you can self refer.

Website: www.nwbh.nhs.uk/msk-physio

Child Protection

Website: www.wigan.gov.uk/Child-protection

Wigan Safeguarding Adults Board

They officer advice and support if you are concerned for an adults welfare.

Website: www.wigansafeguardingadults.org

Emergency Duty Social Work Team

For adults and children believed to be at risk of significant harm and for whom delay until the next working day may be detrimental to their welfare and safety.

Telephone: 0345 0500 148

Website: www.sthelens.gov.uk

Email: EDT@halton.gov.uk

Social Care Contact Centre

For social care enquiries in the Borough of St Helens.

Telephone: 01744 676600

Website: www.sthelens.gov.uk/contact-us

Email: contactcentre@sthelens.gov.uk

Get It On

The Sexual Health Clinic (GUM) is based in St Helens Hospital. It offers an outpatient service to both self-referred patients and patients referred by their doctor. They provide a free and confidential service. This clinic provides screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

Telephone: 01744 646482

Website: getiton.org.uk

Email: health.advisor@sthk.nhs.uk

Spectrum Sexual Health Wigan and Leigh

Spectrum Community Health CIC delivers a range of care in the general community on behalf of the NHS and other partners. The Wigan and Leigh sexual health clinics by appointment or drop-in.

Telephone: 01942 483188 (Wigan) or 01942 483188 (Leigh)

Website: www.spectrumhealth.org.uk

Brook

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.

Website: www.brook.org.uk

Family Planning Association

A sexual health charity, the Family Planning Association gives straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.

Telephone: 020 7608 5240

Website: www.fpa.org.uk

Sexual Health Helpline

The National Sexual Health Helpline provided by Public Health England is open Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Contact Cares - Front Door

Contact Cares is the single point of access for all social care and adult health referrals, and the first point of contact for children referrals. It is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of qualified and unqualified social care staff, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and general nursing, who will co-ordinate and carry out assessments from referral request.

Website: www.sthelens.gov.uk/contact-cares-community

Adult Social Care

For any queries regarding adult social care, please visit their website below.

Website: www.wigan.gov.uk/Adult-social-care

Ready to Stop Smoking

Stopping smoking isn’t easy, but when you see the drastic improvements to your life and health, you’ll want to set your action plan going as quickly as you can and the Stop Smoking Service can help make your journey easier.

Telephone: 0800 3 247 111

Website: www.readytostopsmoking.org.uk

St Helens Gateway - Stop Smoking

The City Health Care Partnership run a Smokefree St Helens service if you are looking for help and advice on how to quit or cut down on your smoking.

Telephone: 01744 586247

Email: chcp.smokefreesthelens@nhs.net

Website: www.sthelensgateway.info

Healthy Routes - Stop Smoking Wigan

Even if you are a casual smoker, heavy smoker, pregnant, young or old, have smoked for a long time or have tried to stop before but have gone back to smoking, Healthy Routes can help you.

Telephone: 01942 489012

Website: www.wigan.gov.uk

Email: www.wigan.gov.uk

Quit with help

Everyone has a different reason for quitting, get a personalised Quit Smoking Plan.

Website: www.quitwithhelp.co.uk

New Community Service to Support St Helens Veterans

Caring Connections offers counselling, CBT, therapy and physical activity programmes. Services are free to veterans and their families.

Telephone: 0151 289 2761

Website: www.johnpaulproject.com

The Royal British Legion

Care and support for all members of the British Armed Forces past/present, and their families.

Telephone: 08088 028 080

Website: www.ssafa.org.uk/merseyside

Email: info@britishlegion.org.uk

SSAFA Forces Help

Financial, practical and emotional help for the Armed Forces Community.

Telephone: 0800 731 4880

Website: www.ssafa.org.uk

Email: Merseyside@ssafa.org.uk

Merseyside Aged Veterans Partnership

Merseyside Aged Veterans Partnership is helping older veterans who are struggling with any kind of housing issue.

Telephone: 0344 515 1900

Email: jo_cutler@shelter.org.uk

S.A.M.S. Armed Forces Community Group

Drop in session and breakfast club for Regulars, Reservists, Ex Forces, Veterans and their Families.

Telephone: 07391 573003

Website: www.saintsrlfc.com

Email: samantha@sams-hub.org

Fit4All

Fit4All, delivered by ABL Health, is a family weight management service for children and young people aged 4-18 and concerned about their weight and their families. Offered over 12 months, the programme encourages children, young people and their families to make healthy and sustainable behaviour changes.

Telephone: 01744 778 359

Email: sthelens@ablhealth.co.uk

Nutrition and Dietetics Service

Community dietitians who provide a highly specialised service for adults and children who need nutritional advice and support for a range of conditions. Please speak to your GP to arrange an appointment with the service.

Website: www.nwbh.nhs.uk

St Helens Healthy Living Team

St Helens Healthy Living Team are a passionate, committed team who are dedicated to local people in St Helens. Always with the client at the heart of service delivery, the teams strive to help and support people to make positive lifestyle changes that will result in long, happy and healthy life.

Telephone: 0300 300 0103

Website: www.healthysthelens.co.uk

Email: hit@sthelens.gov.uk

The Specialist Weight Management Service

The Specialist Weight Management Service (SWMS) is an NHS weight loss service available to those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 and above or 35kg/m2 with associated health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Telephone: 01942 483370

Website: www.wigan.gov.uk

Email: swms.enquiries@aintree.nhs.uk

Weight Watchers

Meetings, Online or a little bit of both. We’ve got options and support, whatever your lifestyle.

Website: www.weightwatchers.com

Slimming World

You’ll find delicious recipe and menu ideas at your local group, along with all the help you need to get started and reach your target weight.

Website: www.slimmingworld.co.uk

St Helens Young Carers Centre

St Helens Young Carers Centre provides support to Young Carers so that they are recognised and have the same opportunities and life chances as other children and young people of a similar age.

Website: www.sthelensyoungcarers.org

Wigan & Leigh Young Carers

Wigan and Leigh Young carers help to support young carers and their families.

Twitter: @WiganandLeighYC

Telephone: 01942 679352

Website: www.walyc.org.uk

Email: info@walyc.org.uk