Health

Many of our social care services support people who are unwell or have long-term disabilities. However, the NHS run healthcare services like doctors, dentists, opticians and hospitals.

If you want to find a GP, dentist or other health professional, the NHS Local Search facility can help you- click here to go to the website.

NHS Direct can also give you information about what to do if you are feeling unwell. There is a helpline you can ring - 0845 4647- which is run by nurses and also a website which has lots of information about different illnesses and conditions- click here to go to the website.

How do we work with the NHS?
We work closely with the local health services because the people we help often need support from a health service as well. For example, we might help someone in mental distress by encouraging them to be independent, like supporting them to do everyday tasks and helping them get involved in new activities and interests. At the same time, the person may need healthcare, such as treatments or medicines, or help from a psychiatrist.

Staying Healthy
The city council is part of a Healthy City Partnership, which also includes the NHS and other organisations like voluntary groups, community groups, businesses and education. The partnership aims to improve the health and well-being of the people of Stoke-on-Trent by:

• encouraging co-operation and joint working between organisations who have a responsibility for health
• working with communities
• tackling the causes of ill-health such as poverty, unsafe environments, poor housing
• improving the health of those with the worst health
• developing health policies
• producing a City Health Development Plan

To find out more about what they are doing, visit their website by clicking here.