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HSSD MSG Primary Care Centre Help ! Sexual Health Guernsey

 

 


Help !

On this page we have listed some organisations that may be able to help you with problems if you do not feel that you have been able to get them sorted out. We have included contact details so that you will be able to write, telephone or e-mail them. If you work with an organisation and would like to be included here, then please send you details to the e-mail at the bottom of the page.

Local Organisations

Health Promotion Unit

Steph Charlwood, Resources Officer at the Unit says "Our role is to actively promote healthy lifestyles within the Bailiwick of Guernsey and to help people take responsibility for their own health - ie. to make healthy choices. We also aim to support anyone who is involved in health education to deliver their service as effectively as possible. Our resources library holds information on our priority areas: reducing smoking, preventing heart disease and cancer, as well as many other topic areas, and is a free service. We also have a website with up to date campaign news and links to numerous other health sites, at http://www.guernseyhealthpromotion.com."
 

The Health Promotion Unit can be contacted via their website, telephone 707311 or by post to:

Health Promotion Unit, Princess Elizabeth Hospital, St Martin's, Guernsey, GY4 6UU


Guernsey Chest and Heart Association

The Association are pleased to see any Guernsey Residents who are between the ages of 25 to 70.
People can be screened every five years. The screening involves:

  • Height Measurement

  • Resting ECG

  • Weight Check

  • Testing Urine for Sugar, Blood and Protein

  • Blood Pressure

  • Lung Function tests

  • Fasting blood test (Total Cholesterol, Cholesterol HDL fraction and blood sugar)


The centre was opened in 1971 and is located in the Oberlands end of the hospital entrance. It is not part of the Board of Health and is a Charity. They are also able to offer Lifestyle advice. Remember that prevention is better than cure. We are only going to be able to reduce the number of deaths and illness from Stroke and Ischaemic Heart Disease if we admit that there is a problem there and then do something about it. It will not go away on it's own !! A few statistics will perhaps illustrate the problem:

  • 300,000 people have a Heart Attack in Britain each year, over 300 per day

  • 150,000 people in Britain die from Heart Disease each year

  • Men are most likely to have heart attacks - 52% of all deaths are from circulation diseases, but women are not far behind at 36%

  • More British women die from heart disease than from other disorders such as Breast Cancer

Comparison with other countries in the World such as Australia, France and Sweden shows that England has a higher death rate from Circulatory diseases. Guernsey fortunately has a lower rate than England, but is still higher than Australia and France. Whilst this is an unhappy picture, the encouraging feature is that most of us can take some action to reduce the risk of heart disease. The main risk factors are smoking, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels. Other risks include a family history of heart attacks, overweight, lack of exercise and high stress levels.

Reducing the risk of heart disease depends upon identifying your risk factors and then taking remedial action. Our screening and blood pressure check programs have exactly these goals in mind. The full screening looks at a range of risk factors and consists of a comprehensive questionnaire, electrocardiogram, breathing tests, blood pressure, height and weight measurements together with a number of readings taken from a single blood sample. The results can be analysed and an assessment of relative risk for any one individual can be made from specific analysis tables.

Screened volunteers are advised of the results, and any improvements they may make to their lifestyle. The Medical Director examines each screening report, a copy of which is forwarded to the volunteers own Doctor. If there are any significantly abnormal results on the screening, the volunteer is asked to visit their Doctor.

http://www.chestandheart.fsnet.co.uk/

Relate

Relate (formerly the Marriage Guidance Council) are there to help with Relationship problems. Couples do not have to be married to attend. If you feel that things are not going as well as they should be then many couples will benefit from some expert intervention early on, before the damage has become too great to repair. If you and your partner seem to be having difficulties within your relationship, then you can arrange to see the Relate Counsellors. Ideally both partners should attend, but we know that this is not always possible. Many people find that with some expert help and guidance they can resolves their differences and get the relationship back on a much better footing.
 

Citizens Advice Bureau

If you need some help or advice about a whole wide range of issues then this is a good place to start. They can often help you with the problem themselves, or they will try and put you in touch with someone who can. They can help with problems relating to home, work and financial. If you are in any doubt then give them a ring.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcohol can be more of a problem than people imagine. Of course, most people feel that they drink a sensible amount, and that they are "social" drinkers who could all stop at any time. Do you know how much you drink in an average week ? Do you know how much you can safely drink ? Do you know how many units of alcohol there are in a pint or glass of wine ? If you are not sure about any of these issues then please feel free to come and discuss it with your doctor. If you feel that you are drinking too much and you would like some help to try and cut down then feel free to get in touch with Alcoholics Anonymous. They would be very happy to discuss any of your concerns, answer any of your questions and help you to try and reduce your drinking if you are having too much.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership as they are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

Call Alcoholics Anonymous on 713480.
 

National Organisations

Some people find that on a small island they are a little worried about going to one of these places in case they meet someone there that they know. They may feel a little embarrassed. We have therefore listed a few National Advice Line telephone number below. We hope that you will find it useful. Furthermore, if there are any additional details that you think we should include here then please let us know.
 

Samaritans

Samaritans' mission: Samaritans is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.

Samaritans' vision: is for a society in which:

  • Fewer people die by suicide

  • People are able to explore their feelings

  • People are able to acknowledge and respect the feelings of others

Samaritans' values: are based on these beliefs:

  • The importance of having the opportunity to explore difficult feelings

  • That being listened to, in confidence and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings

  • That everyone has the right to make fundamental decisions about their own life, including the decision to die by suicide

If you are feeling lonely, suicidal, depressed or in despair, call the Samaritans on


National Impotence Helpline

Impotence is a widespread problem. Many people feel too embarrassed to come and ask for help and to so they do not get the benefit of addressing the problem. One of the reasons for this can be that they do not feel able to discuss it with their Doctor. If you feel that it would help to speak to someone over the phone then you can call the National Impotence Help Line or see their web site.

Their number is 0870 7743571.


 

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