Stay Well Solihull

Below are several services and providers who can support you to Stay Well. You can also find local advice and support for cost of living here.

The NHS – and other services – are here to help you with physical and mental health.

If you are feeling unwell but not in need or urgent/emergency care there are several options available to you:

• Pharmacies are available to advise and treat minor illnesses.
• GP practices across Solihull are open and continue to offer both face to face and remote consultations. GPs have been working hard together to anticipate and support the additional demands of illnesses this winter.
• You can call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk at any time. If you need to go to A&E, NHS 111 will book an arrival time. This might mean you spend less time in A&E.

Call 999 only in a medical emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. 

Infectious diseases

As we learn to live safely with COVID-19, there are simple things we can all do to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, such as flu and colds. Things you can choose to do are:

• Get vaccinated.
• Let fresh air in if meeting others indoors.
• Practise good hygiene: wash your hands; cover your coughs and sneezes; clean your surroundings frequently
• Wear a face covering or a face mask.

We urge all those eligible to get their COVID-19 booster vaccines and flu jabs as soon as you can, so you have the strongest possible protection over the winter months.

NHS flu jabs

Flu vaccination is an important priority this coming winter to reduce serious illness and death associated with influenza, and to reduce hospitalisations.

You can get a flu jab this year if you are:

• In a in clinical risk groups (Aged 6 months to under 50 years)
• Pregnant
• Aged 50 years and over (including those who will be 50 years old by 31 March 2023)
• In long-stay residential care home
• A carer
• close contact of an immunocompromised individual
• A frontline health and social care worker

Children in the following groups are also eligible:

• Aged 2 and 3 years on 31 August 2022
• School aged children (all primary school aged children (reception year to year 6) and eligible secondary school aged children)

Ask your pharmacist or GP if you’re eligible for a free flu vaccine.  It is one of the most important things you can do to prevent yourself from becoming ill this winter.

Covid-19 vaccinations

As we head into winter, we should remember that Covid-19 continues to circulate in Solihull and rates are still high.

For those who have not had all of their vaccinations (first, second, or booster dose), it is never too late – to book an appointment at a vaccine centre or find out where your local walk in clinics are visit  https://www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/

You can get autumn Covid-19 booster if you are:

• Aged 50 and over
• Pregnant
• At high risk due to a health condition or because of a weakened immune system
• a carer of those at risk
• a front-line health and social care staff.

You will be contacted once you are eligible- this needs to be at least 3 months after your previous dose. If you have not been contacted following the three month period, you can visit www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk to book an appointment.

We urge all those eligible to get their COVID-19 booster vaccines as soon as you can, so you have the strongest possible protection over the winter months.

Prescriptions

If it is difficult to get out or you need to self-isolate, ask your pharmacy about signing up for a delivery service. You can also get help with collecting medicines and attending medical appointments through the NHS Volunteer Responders on 0808 196 3646 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week.

Children, Young People and Families

Do you need advice and support for children and/or young people? There are a range of services in Solihull to give children a healthy, happy and confident start in life.

Health Visiting & Healthy Start (NHS) – 0-4 years

From pregnancy until school, the Health Visiting team supports every child in Solihull with health checks and advice. Text 07507 332563 or visit www.healthforunder5s.co.uk/solihull/ Healthy Start vouchers can support families to buy food and with free vitamins. Visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk

School Nursing (NHS) – 5-19 years

Supports school aged children and young people. Parents/Carers of children in a Solihull school can text 07480 635496 or visit www.healthforkids.co.uk/solihull/ and young people aged 11+ can text 07520 615730 for help and advice or visit www.healthforteens.co.uk/solihull/

Healthy Start Vouchers

The Solihull HAF Programme provides free healthy meals and fun activities for children aged 5-16yrs who are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals (FSM), during the Easter, Summer, and Christmas school holidays. Other children referred by professionals, such as teachers can also be provided with free holiday places.

To find out more, visit https://www.solihull.gov.uk/children-and-family-support/haf.

Healthy Lifestyles

Do you want to…

Eat more healthily? Manage your weight? Reduce stress? Be more active? Stop or reduce smoking? Learn about activities in your area?

The Solihull Lifestyle Service can help with all of these.  This is a free service offering a range of health and well-being advice and support to help you make positive lifestyle changes.

For more information call 0121 456 7820 or visit https://gatewayfs.org/what-we-do/solihull-lifestyle-service/

There are a range of targeted services supported by the Solihull Active team for families, older people, people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. For more information call 0121 704 8207 or visit solihullonthemove.co.uk

Health checks

The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults aged 40 to 74, who do not have a pre-existing health condition. It’s designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.

As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk. You are invited for a check every 5 years.   If you think you are due a health check, book with your GP. For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/what-is-an-nhs-health-check-new/

Addictions Support

Do you or someone you care about need support with an addiction? Whether that addiction is alcohol, drugs or gambling, Solihull Integrated Addiction Service (SIAS) can help with support whether it’s for intervention, treatment, recovery, support for your family or help with housing they can help.

0121 301 4141

www.sias-solihull.org.uk/

Mental Health

Mental health is important because it’s a vital part of your life and impacts your thoughts, behaviours, and emotions.

The Mental Health Helpline offers mental health support for all Solihull residents. The service is open 24hrs a day 7 days a week.  0121 262 3555 or 0800 915 9292

See the range of easily accessible mental health support that is now available at https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Here2help/Stay-well

Every Mind Matters has practical tips for mental health and wellbeing at www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

Samaritans

When life is tough, Samaritans are here to listen – day or night, 365 days a year.

Call: 116 123 (free)

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Website: www.samaritans.org/

PAPYRUS – HOPELINEUK

HOPELINEUK is a confidential support and advice service for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.

Call: 0800 068 41 41

Text: 07860 039967

Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

Website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/