NHS Choices
NHS Choices is a comprehensive information service that helps to put you in control of your healthcare. The service is intended to help you make choices about your health, from lifestyle decisions about things like smoking, drinking and exercise, through to the practical aspects of finding and using NHS services in England when you need them. More information is available here.
111
111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It’s fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones and for more information click here.
Mental Health Units (use of force) Act 2018
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to the right mental health support and the Mental Health Unit (Use of Force) Act 2018 represents a significant step towards addressing these inequalities.
Click here to download the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018.
18-week wait
In December 2008 the 18-week target was implemented. The principal of the target is that the longest patients should have to wait after being referred by their GP until they start treatment is 18 weeks – that is, unless it is clinically appropriate to wait longer, or the patient chooses to delay treatment. Wherever possible, patients will wait less than this. More information is available on the NHS Choices website here.
NHS Constitution
The constitution brings together in one place details of what staff, patients and the public can expect from the National Health Service. It also explains what you can do to help support the NHS, help it work effectively, and help ensure that its resources are used responsibly. The Constitution sets out your rights as an NHS patient. These rights cover how patients access health services, the quality of care you’ll receive, the treatments and programmes available to you, confidentiality, information and your right to complain if things go wrong. More information is available here.
Patient UK
Information factsheets written by doctors and used by GPs covering: antidepressants, anxiety, benzodiazepines, bereavement, controlling anger, dementia, depression, eating disorders, obsessions, panic, schizophrenia, stress. More information is available here.
Choice and medication
Please click here for information about medicines prescribed for mental health conditions.
Electronic Quality Information for the Public (EQUIP)
An NHS gateway to quality health and social care information – more information is available here.
Carers Direct
Information, advice and support for carers available here.