Health conditions and mental health

Health conditions:

Asthma: asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/ or via 0300 222 5800

Other lung conditions, such as COPD and pulmonary fibrosis: blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus or via 03000 030 555

Diabetes: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus or via 0345 123 2399 or [email protected]

Cystic Fibrosis: https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/

Advice for cancer patients: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/coronavirus-and-cancer

Macmillan Cancer Support: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus

Marie Curie's dedicated Support Line is open 7 days a week - on 0800 090 2309 or via web chat: https://bit.ly/2Urs5nu

British Heart Foundation: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/coronavirus-and-you

 

First Aid tips from St John Ambulance: In the event of a burn or scald, would you know what to do? Here's our first aid advice: http://ow.ly/viiS50xzuxH

 

Mental health support:

The government has published detailed advice and information on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during the outbreak:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-mental-health-and-wellbeing-aspects-of-coronavirus-covid-19

For more expert advice and practical tips: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

Self-isolation and your mental well being – advice from Solent Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/#collapse0c88d 

Havant and East Hants Mind offers face to face support through its Children and Young People’s Safe Haven and Adult Safe Haven services. Contact details available via: https://www.easthantsmind.org/

More  support available via Childline (0800 1111), the Samaritans (116 123) and the Young Minds text service (85258)

Web-based support is available at The Mix at https://www.themix.org.uk/get-support

 

For the Armed Forces:

The British Legion’s contact centre remains fully operational to support the Armed Forces community and can be reached on 0808 802 8080 (8am-8pm, seven days a week) or at [email protected].

News

Lifting the lid on the menopause

In this week's column I am writing about the menopause.  A few years ago that might have raised a few eyebrows, but it’s a subject we should talk about without embarrassment or awkwardness.  That lid has been lifted thanks in part to the openness of celebrities such as Davina McCall.

£200 million brings a smile to the nation's teeth

Last week my column was all about pharmacists and this week it’s all about dentists.   I’m sure many of you were heartened by the news that the government has launched a new initiative to improve access to NHS dentists.

A new hospital for Hampshire

My column for this week's Herald and Post.... Last week the Integrated Care Board announced that it is seeking views on where a new hospital should be sited in Hampshire.  This huge government investment of between £700 million and £900 million will completely transform our local services, and

How we can transform the lives of transplant patients

This week's article for the Herald and Post... It has been another incredibly busy week both in Parliament and in the constituency. On Friday I was able to get out and about with Vodafone in Bordon to hear about their proposed improvements to the 4G and 5G network ahead of the 3G signal being swit

Talking about mental health

This article was written by Damian and published in this week's editions of the Herald and Petersfield Post: "Next week is Children’s Mental Health Week, and talking about mental health is thankfully something that is now done openly and with purpose, enabling issues impacting young people to be be