Public health looks to improve the health of the population and tackle inequalities.
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This information was last updated on 25 January 2021 at 09:23.
Learn more about how to look after your mental health here
Did you know that one in four people in the UK experienced mental health issues in the last year? This means that most people in England know someone with mental health problems or have personally experienced them. But we don’t need to wait until we are struggling with our mental health; there are lots of things we can do to protect ourselves and prevent problems escalating, just as we do with our physical health. The new Public Health England ‘Every Mind Matters’ campaign encourages adults to be more aware of their mental health and helps them to discover simple steps to look after their mental health and wellbeing. ‘Every Mind Matters’ offers a range of useful resources that help spot the signs of common mental health concerns, offers practical self-care tips and guidance and, importantly, explains when to seek further support. There is also a free NHS-approved online tool (below), which helps people build an action plan to deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, improve their sleep and help them feel more in control. To learn more about how to look after your mental health visit: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
This is a document which has been produced jointly by Northumberland County Council and NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) which ultimately sits with the council’s Health and Wellbeing Board as one of our key responsibilities. You can read the full Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2018 - 2028 here.
Public health works closely with national organisations such as NHS England and Public Health England. A New Way of Working
The Being Well Café – A Community Conversation People living in and around Berwick were invited to come to the Swan Centre in August 2015 to participate in a community conversation about being well. The event was called The Being Well Café and its aim was to:
All Local Authorities have a duty to improve the health of the population they serve. To help with this, we use data and information from a range of sources including hospitals to understand more about the nature and causes of disease and ill-health in the area.
What are ticks?
Ticks are small spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of animals, including people. Depending on its development stage, the size of a tick varies. Nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed, while adult ticks look more like tiny spiders.
Where do you find ticks?
Ticks can survive in many places but prefer areas with dense vegetation or long grass. They are usually found in woodlands, grassland, moorland, some urban parks and gardens. You can be exposed to ticks whenever you spend time outdoors, including in your garden or the local park.
How to minimise risk of being bitten
- You can prevent tick bites by walking on clearly defined paths
- Use an insect repellent
- Cover your skin while walking outdoors. Tuck your trousers into your socks and wear long sleeved tops.
- Wear light coloured clothing so ticks can be spotted and brushed off
- Check your clothes and your body regularly for ticks when you’re outdoors and again when you get home. You may not notice you’ve been bitten, so make sure you thoroughly check yourself, your children and your pets
If you have been bitten, remove ticks as soon as possible, the safest way is to use a
pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. Some tick bites can result in infection so it is important to remove safely and as quickly as possible.
Main health risks
Ticks can transmit bacteria that cause diseases such as Lyme disease, which can lead to very serious conditions if left untreated. Contact your GP or dial 111 promptly if you begin to feel unwell with flu like symptoms or develop a spreading circular red rash. Remember to tell them you were bitten by a tick or have recently spent time outdoors.
Everyone is at some risk of developing certain health conditions, and a NHS health check aims to help you lower your risk of developing these common but often preventable diseases.
You will be invited for a free NHS health check with your GP once every five years if you are between 40 and 74 years old, and have not already been diagnosed with vascular diseases (including heart disease, previous stroke, chronic renal disease or diabetes) or have certain risk factors such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol treated by medication.
Following the check, you will receive free personalised advice about what you can do to stay healthy. If the health check highlights any potential problems you will be offered advice and support to help you address them.
Specialised young person-friendly health services are available in Northumberland. The statutory youth service works with partnership agencies in health and the council to support young people with additional needs, providing a wide range of opportunities that will be useful both now and in the future. Please click here for Public Health updates for schools during the COVID-19 outbreak.
To enjoy lower-risk drinking it is important to know the number of units in a drink depends on the amount you drink and the strength. The Department of Health's lower risk guidelines are:
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