NHS England

If you’re struggling with your mental health, there’s a range of support options available to you. Support from your GP can vary from medication to therapy or social prescribing, where you can be referred to a support organisation. Recently featured on Gone Fishing, Dave, the founder of Tackling Minds, explains just how social prescribing works, and how you can be prescribed different forms of care by your GP practice. 🎥 BBC iPlayer

'When I first sought help through NHS Talking Therapies, I felt that someone cared immediately. I felt comfortable and welcomed and that someone was going to listen.' Paul’s mental health issues began during his time as a police officer, where he was diagnosed with PTSD. He self-referred to the NHS Talking Therapies services and received cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling which gave him all the tools to help him cope with his mental health on a daily basis. Paul now volunteers and works to help others who are in the same situation he was in and he's passionate about ensuring young people know more about mental health and how to seek help. 'I know what it’s like to be on the other side of the door, being scared to walk in and tell someone the things you have never told anyone or haven’t even admitted to yourself. Just getting through that door is such an important step to getting yourself out of a negative cycle and to building a life that is even better than the one you had before.' NHS Talking Therapies can help if you're struggling with feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress or obsessions and compulsions. The service is effective, confidential and free. Your GP can refer you or refer yourself at nhs.uk/talk

Kevin made his first blood donation in 1980 and since then has donated 250 times — including both blood and platelets! Over a year ago, Kevin went to donate but was told his red blood cell count was low. Shortly after he was sadly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a cancer which affected his blood and bone marrow. 'I had been a donor for over 40 years. At some stage, I was asked if I would consider donating platelets, which I did gladly. I went on to reach 250 donations just before the pandemic, an achievement of which I am immensely proud. It matched another source of pride for me – running the London Marathon.' After being diagnosed with cancer, Kevin had four rounds of chemotherapy and had many whole blood and platelet transfusions. 'During my time in hospital, I had blood transfusions, which I still chuckle about. I had been so used to donating blood, yet here I was, receiving rather than giving.' Kevin is now cancer-free and says he is immensely grateful to the donors who helped to save his life. Every day, thousands of people’s lives are saved or improved thanks to the generosity of blood donors. It’s quick and easy and in one hour up to three lives can be saved. Book now at blood.co.uk. 🩸

‘I was really grateful to be given the option to be cared for at home.’ Over the last few years, Margaret has suffered from a lung condition resulting in several hospital admissions. However, thanks to the virtual wards initiative, Margaret has been able to be cared for by the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust team from the comfort of her own home. The virtual wards programme supports thousands of patients with respiratory infections, frailty, and heart failure to receive hospital-level care from their own home. Patients are cared for and monitored remotely, supported by visits from specialist staff when necessary, rather than going to hospital. ‘Although I’ve had wonderful treatment when I’ve had to stay in UCLH, I much prefer to be in my own home with my own things. The nurses made sure I was well cared for. They visited me at home every day for four or five days, to give me my medication and make sure I was getting better.’ The NHS has expanded this excellent initiative across the country which has shown a reduction in recovery times and also helps free up hospital beds for those who need them most. #NHS #VirtualWards #PatientCare #HealthcareInnovation

The NHS has launched a new initiative to encourage retired doctors to return to the health service to help bring down long waits for elective care. The new NHS Emeritus platform will make it easier and more flexible for staff to return to the NHS as part of the Long Term Workforce Plan. Consultant urologist Simon is currently employed by University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust and is going through the final stages of the registration process for the NHS Emeritus scheme ahead of retiring soon. 'Having spent 32 years working in the NHS I have built up a wealth of experience and skills. NHS Emeritus is a great way to continue to share that and still see patients, but in a more flexible way. The programme will enable me to help trusts across the country using remote consultations, not just those in my local area, which could really help free up capacity for their consultants to see more patients in-person and help bring down some of the longer waits for routine appointments.' The NHS Emeritus initiative will initially run for a year across England and help to bring down waits for elective care, but if successful, it has the potential to be expanded to cover other work areas. Find out more. https://lnkd.in/eFynZESP

‘I love my job and I feel so lucky to share this experience with my dad. We started studying at the same time so it feels special to have graduated within a few weeks of each other.’ Steven and his daughter Stevie-Leigh have both recently graduated as registered mental health nurses for Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. Stevie-Leigh, who qualified through university, explains why she’s thrilled about her new role. ‘I’m excited for my future working life and the impact I have on people. I love knowing I’m making a difference and helping people live better and reach their full potential and I know my dad feels the same.’ Her father Steven qualified through an apprenticeship after having worked as a Healthcare Assistant. Care and compassion clearly does run in the family! A huge congratulations to Steven and Stevie-Leigh for qualifying. As part of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, we’re increasing the number of pathways into nursing, making it easier to begin your career journey in the NHS. There are more than 50 different exciting nursing careers. Search ‘NHS nursing careers’ to find out more. #WeAreTheNHS #Family #NHSFamily #NHSCareers #Healthcare

‘Seeking help through NHS Talking Therapies was the best step I ever took to getting my mental health back on track.’ Harmeet suffered from postnatal depression after the birth of her daughter, and over time felt her mental health deteriorating. After speaking to her GP, she was referred for counselling through NHS Talking Therapies, and later self-referred for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which put her on the path to getting better. When she suffered a miscarriage, she was able to use the tools and techniques she learned through the process to cope with the loss. ‘CBT helped pull me out of the dark hole I found myself in. By reaching out for help, especially to someone who is independent and totally non-judgmental, I was able to share what felt heavy and release the weight I had been carrying. I can’t shout about it enough – my mental health is better than ever before.’ NHS Talking Therapies can help if you’re struggling with feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The service is effective, confidential and free. Your GP can refer you or refer yourself at nhs.uk/talk.

‘The sense of pride you get seeing your patient, leaving feeling fully recovered made me decide that this was the career I wanted.’ Starting out as a Healthcare Assistant, Peter has worked in the NHS for 27 years, and is now an Associate Community Matron at Isle of Wight NHS Trust. ‘My Journey to becoming a Nurse started when I became a Healthcare Assistant in a nursing home where I gained my NVQ level 2 and 3 qualification. It was here I saw the nurses' empathy for the patients they cared for, and I wanted to be able to provide this too. It is a very challenging career but it is very rewarding. The training you receive is the best you can get, and it really does provide you with the knowledge and confidence to give your patients the best quality of care.’ Peter has worked in several roles since becoming a registered nurse in 2002, and currently works in his trust’s Parkinson’s disease service. ‘I want to make the patients feel they are not alone and that they can contact me and to alleviate any fears, concerns or issues they may have.’ The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan is increasing nurse training places, and with more than 50 different nursing careers in the NHS, search ‘nursing careers’ to find a rewarding role for you.

‘When he was in hospital, I saw the doctors taking care of Max and that stuck with me. It was always at the back of my mind when it came to my future career. I looked back at Max in the hospital, and that is what made me choose medicine.’ When Harry was 11 years old his younger brother, Max, had his life saved through a heart transplant surgery at The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Harry is now 18 years old and is studying medicine at university after being inspired by the care and compassion he saw from NHS staff treating his brother. ‘They were really able to make us all feel better and safe in their care, which I thought was fantastic. They were so professional. It was just impressive to witness that first hand.’ Stories like this are a lovely reminder of the impact NHS staff can have on our patients and those around them. Wishing you the best for your future NHS career Harry! 📸: @DailyMirror https://lnkd.in/enMMEaM9

Meet Community Pharmacist Gurinder. 👋 He helps to support and care for his local community with a wide range of services, including blood pressure checks for people like Pauline. Eligible people can get their blood pressure checked at pharmacies for free, and you don’t need to see a GP. Pauline was told about the service whilst she was collecting medicine and was keen to get her blood pressure checked. Gurinder says, ‘Patients find it really beneficial to have it checked whilst waiting for their prescription without needing to book an appointment. Many patients don’t realise the impact of high blood pressure on their cardiovascular health. It is important to have it checked even though you might not have symptoms of high blood pressure as early detection will help prevent cardiovascular complications developing in the future.’ Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks near you. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dnt3V-EP #Pharmacy #CommunityPharmacy #Prevention #BloodPressure