Health
It is often, when faced with a health problem or disability that people worry most about how they will manage. If you are concerned about your health there are places you can turn to for help.
The Department of Health have launched a new website full of useful information about health issues and local health services.
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| NHS Primary Care | NHS Hospital Care |
| Pharmacy Services | Private Healthcare Services |
NHS Primary Care – your GP and other community services
Your GP Surgery or Health Clinic is often the first port of call if you are concerned about your health or the health of someone you care for. Contact your surgery to make an appointment. Someone will advise you about who is the best person to talk to. It might be a Doctor, a Nurse or an Allied Health Professional such as Physiotherapist.
Your local Primary Care Trust can tell you everything you need to know about which services are available in your area;
Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust
NHS Hospital Care
If you are very unwell then you may need hospital care. This isn’t always, but can be, a daunting experience. If possible it is important to discuss your hospital admission with your GP as fully as possible in order to make sure you really understand what the experience will be like. We recommend that you discuss what will happen when you return home even before you are admitted. We think it is important for you and for them to know who might need to help you or what arrangements might need to be made.
If you, or someone you care for, are admitted as an emergency then you might be concerned about what will happen when you or they return home. Contact us to find out about our Hospital Discharge Screening Service and how our teams at Bournemouth and Dorchester hospitals can help. In these two hospitals we make sure that everyone is assisted in getting all the care and support they might need on their return home from hospital. If you have a relative in another hospital in Dorset we may be able to help you find the best person to talk to. Call us anyway and we will do what we can to help.
Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust
Pharmacy Services
Sometimes it is possible to gain help and advice from your local pharmacist rather than through your GP surgery. They will be able to tell you if it is better for you to talk to your GP. But they may also be able to provide you with an over-the-counter remedy or give you advice about dealing with a minor problem.
To find your local pharmacist contact your Primary Care Trust.
NHS England provide comprehensive advice about how your pharmacy can help you.
Some pharmacies collect and deliver. Download our factsheet to find out more.
Private Healthcare Services
You may wish to seek private healthcare services and there are many organisations in Dorset that can help you. They are listed in the Phone Book or use your search engine to find the right organisation for you. These range from private health insurers, private hospital consultants, private nursing agencies, nursing home care and much more. We advise that you consult with your GP before securing any private healthcare services.