We want you to be happy and healthy. Our Leaving Care Team and your personal adviser will support you to stay healthy and look after your physical and mental health.
This page gives you information on the following areas:
- your health needs
- support to be happy and healthy
- mental health and wellbeing
- substance misuse
- sexual health services
- being a parent or a becoming a parent
- exercise
- emergency information
- staying healthy and well: top health tips
If you would like support to access health services or need someone to go with you, speak to your Personal Advisor (PA).
Your health needs
After your last health assessment and before you leave care, you will be given a ‘Health Summary’, which is your personal health record. It includes information about your medical history, facts about your health and contact details for other services you might need. You will receive this from the 0-18 Children in Care Team. A copy will be shared with your personal advisor, unless you have confirmed that you do not give your consent for this.
If you misplace the copy provided by the 0-18 Children in Care team, you can request a copy from them. If you need support with this, speak to your Personal Advisor who will be able to help you.
Support to be happy and healthy
We want to make sure you get the help and support you need, when you need or want it. Speak to your personal advisor (PA) accessing the following services or assistance:
GP Surgery
GPs and Practice Nurses treat all common medical conditions and can can refer you to specialist services if you need it. GP practices also offer a range of services, including immunisations and medical reviews.
You can request a different doctor if you feel the need to.
How to register with a GP surgery
NHS guide to accessing GP online services
Help with prescription costs
Speak to your Personal Advisor, who may be able to support you with an exemption certificate. This means that you will not have to pay for your prescriptions.
NHS guidance about getting help with health costs
Eye tests and glasses
Speak to your Personal Advisor if you have ongoing issues or specific needs that are related to your eyesight. They will support you to get the help you need. We can sometimes help with the costs of eye tests and glasses.
Dental treatment
There are different ways to access dental services, depending on whether it is for a routine appointment or an emergency. If you need support with either, please ask your Personal Advisor.
If you do not have access to a routine NHS dentist
Send an email to Fylde Coast Medical Services (FCMS) and ask them for a return phone call.
Please state in the email that it is for access to 'pathway 3 children in care and care leavers dental referral'.
Only include your telephone contact details.
Email: fcms.dental.admin@nhs.net
If you have a dental emergency
If you're experiencing dental pain or need emergency treatment, the Dental Helpline can support you to find a local out of hours dentist.
Dental Helpline: 0300 1234 010
NHS advice on how you can access a dentist in an emergency or out of hours
Mental health and wellbeing
If you're struggling with your emotional or mental health we are here to help and support you, please just ask for help - don’t bottle it up. There's a range of support available if you need help. Some of the options are listed below. Speak to your Personal Advisor for more information.
Talking Therapies
This a NHS psychological therapy service offering a range of free talking therapies to people aged 16 and over.
You can refer yourself to the service by telephone or by completing an online self-referral form.
South Cumbria
Telephone: 0300 555 0345
Make an online self referral for talking therapies: Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Eden and North Cumbria
Telephone: 0300 123 9122
Make an online self referral for talking therapies: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
My Time Cumbria
This organisation works with children and young people to support with their mental health and wellbeing.
Find out more about My Time South Cumbria
Kooth
Kooth offer young people online mental wellbeing support.
Moving on from child and adolescent mental health services
Your Personal Advisor can also support you in the transition from children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to adult services, if this applies to you.
Substance Misuse
Recovery Steps Cumbria
Recovery Steps Cumbria provide a free and confidential support service for adults (aged 18 and over) who use drugs and alcohol.
You can contact Recovery Steps Cumbria for further information and support by:
Telephone: 01900 512300
Email: referrals@recoverystepscumbria.org.uk
Drugs and Me
Drugs and Me have a chatbot that can be accessed for help and support 24 hours a day.
Quitting smoking
We offer several types of support to help you to stop smoking.
Sexual health services
Cumbria Sexual Health services provide confidential advice and support on a range of sexual health issues.
For an advice and appointments you can contact them by telephone on 01228 608989
Alternatively, you can book a sexual health appointment online.
If you're a parent or parent to be
You may be entitled to:
- help to pay for milk and food from Healthy Start
- a one-off payment towards the cost of having a child from the Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you're not sure how to access or apply for Healthy Start or a Sure Start Maternity Grant, speak to your Personal Advisor.
The Birth to Five guide provides information on becoming a parent, taking care of yourself and your child, and finding practical help and support.
Support during pregnancy and becoming a parent
When you first access maternity services, you will be asked if you are currently in care or have care experience. This helps maternity staff understand your needs and make sure you get the right support.
Your care and support plan will be tailored to you and your circumstances.
With your permission, maternity staff can work with your Personal Advisor (PA) and any other professionals involved in supporting you, so that everyone works together to provide joined-up support.
Your PA can help you access financial support, housing advice, parenting support, Family Hubs and other local services. They can also help you understand your rights and entitlements as a care leaver and parent.
Partners with care experience can also access support.
You may be offered extra support during your pregnancy and after your baby is born, including:
- additional appointments and check-ins, alongside your routine maternity care
- one-to-one support and education to help you prepare for parenthood
- help to access Family Hubs and community support services
- continuity of care from the same healthcare professionals where possible
- a trauma-informed approach that recognises and respects your experiences
- reasonable adjustments to make sure services work for you
Health professionals regularly review the support available to care-experienced parents to make sure services meet people's needs.
Health Visitors are specialist nurses, who offer advice and guidance to parents with children aged 0 to 5 years.
Find contact details for your local Health Visiting Service in Cumbria.
If you have any questions, please ask.
If you need support, advice or guidance, speak to your Personal Adviser or someone you trust. They can help you find the right support.
Exercise
An active life and a healthy diet can reduce your risk of major illnesses. By doing regular exercise you can lower the risk of:
- heart disease
- diabetes
- cancer
- stroke
- digestive and bowel problems
- mental health issues
It can also boost your confidence and self-esteem, sleep quality and mood and can make people feel less isolated and lonely.
Find out about our free gym memberships.
Emergency information
If someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, call 999.
If you have an urgent medical problem and you're not sure what to do, call 111.
NHS 111 is available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
Dental emergencies
What to do if you have a dental emergency
Pharmacies
Local pharmacists can offer advice about illnesses and medicines, as well offering treatments for some conditions.
Find out how pharmacies can help
Mental health crisis support
If you're in mental health distress and need urgent help, there's always someone you can call.
Mental Health Crisis Line: 0800 953 0110
The helpline is available twenty four hours a day, seven days pee week. It's staffed by trained mental health professionals who can provide assessment and referrals to appropriate services.
Staying healthy and well: top tips
It's important to be healthy and maintain your overall wellbeing. Read NHS advice on living well
It's your responsibility to:
- register with a GP - your Personal Advisor (PA) can support you with this
- look after your oral health by taking care of your teeth and gums
- see a dentist every six months - see the information above on how to access the care leavers dental pathway, or find a dentist
- see an optician every year, unless you're advised otherwise
- recognise your feelings - it's important to talk to someone if you feel low
- speak to your PA about financial help with dental and optician costs
The Coram Group have published an advice booklet about taking care of your physical health.