St George's University Hospitals Bereavement Services

Bereavement Services at St George’s Hospital are available Monday to Friday during the hours of 10am – 4pm.

Telephone: 020 8725 3410

Website: www.stgeorges.nhs.uk

Raynes Park Bereavement Service

The Raynes Park Bereavement Service provides free and confidential one to one support to people who have had a bereavement, recently or in the past.

Telephone: 07914 263420

Website: www.mvsc.co.uk

Email: raynesparkbereavement@gmail.com

Cruse Bereavement Care

Cruse Bereavement Care is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We offer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies and work to enhance society’s care of bereaved people.

National Helpline: 0808 808 1677

Website: www.cruse.org.uk

Are you a Carer?

A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.

To register as a carer, please complete our Register a Carer form.

Carers Support Merton (CSM)

CSM is a friendly and access one stop shop or unpaid carers in Merton. CSM’s Young Carers Service support children and young people under the age of 18, who are looking after someone in their family. The Adult Carers Service delivers Carers Support Hub that provides comprehensive, holistic support to adult carers and their families.

Telephone: 020 8646 7515

Website: www.csmerton.org

Email: info@csmerton.org

Carers UK

They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

Child Safeguarding

For information on who can provide support and who you should report a concern to, please click here to access our Safeguarding Children leaflet

The Side Effects of Vaccines - How High is the Risk?

In this video, Kurzgesagt looks at how vaccines work and compares the impact of their side effects to the potential effect of the diseases they protect against.

View the Video 

The signs of serious illness in Children

Call 999 or go to A&E if your child:

– has a stiff neck
– has a rash that doesn’t fade when you press a glass against it
– is bothered by light
– has a fit (febrile seizure) for the first time (they can’t stop shaking)
– has unusually cold hands and feet
– has pale, blotchy, blue or grey skin
– has a weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry
– is drowsy and hard to wake
– finds it hard to breathe and sucks their stomach in under their ribs
– has a soft spot on their head that curves outwards (bulging fontanelle)

Chicken Pox

Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness that most children catch at some point.

More information: www.nhs.uk

Slapped Cheek Syndrome

Slapped cheek syndrome is a viral infection that’s most common in children, It usually causes a bright red rash to develop on the cheeks.

More information: www.nhs.uk

Headlice

Head lice are tiny insects that live in human hair. They’re particularly common in children.

More information: www.nhs.uk

Childhood Illness Guide

From warts and measles to chickenpox and tonsillitis, find out how to recognise some of the most common childhood conditions.

More information: www.nhs.uk

Fever in Children

A fever is a high temperature. As a general rule, in children, a temperature of over 37.5C (99.5F) is a fever.

More information: www.nhs.uk

Childhood illness visual guide

Use this visual guide to help you identify common conditions and illnesses that may affect your child. Includes conditions such as measles, slapped cheek syndrome, chicken pox and warts.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Child Vaccination Schedule

You can view the NHS Childhood Vaccine timeline on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that can affect young children.

More information: www.nhs.uk

Vaccination planner

Download a personalised vaccination calendar, which highlights the dates your child needs to have their vaccinations by.

Download from: www.nhs.uk

COVIBOOK - Reassuring children about coronavirus

Here you can download COVIBOOK, an explainer in the form of a story to reassure children under the age of 7 about coronavirus.

Child Friendly Explanation of Coronavirus – PDF

The short book has been produced by the Mindheart Foundation and translated into 25 languages. All editions are available on their website:

https://www.mindheart.co/descargables

Volunteering and help in Merton

We understand that many residents are eager to help those in need in the community during this difficult time. Merton’s response is being led by the Merton Voluntary Service Council. Their dedicated coronavirus page can be accessed here www.mvsc.co.uk/CoronavirusSupport

If you need help, MVSC can be contacted on 020 8685 2272, or by email at help@mvsc.co.uk. If you would like to volunteer with MVSC, please contact the volunteer taskforce by emailing volunteer@mvsc.co.uk.

Educational Websites for Local Children

We know how difficult it is for parents and children during this time. The websites below provide useful material to teach and entertain children:

Girl Guides – www.girlguiding.org.uk

Scouts – www.scouts.org.uk

Natural History Museum – www.nhm.ac.uk

BBC Bitesize – www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

Liverpool War Museum – www.liverpoolwarmuseum.co.uk

Imperial War Museum – www.iwm.org.uk

BBC Teach – www.bbc.co.uk/teach

Convalescent Plasma - Clinical Trial

If you have had a positive test result for COVID-19, or have had symptoms of COVID-19, please click here to see how you can help the NHS with a potential clinical trial as part of a national effort against the virus.

The trial, if approved, will tell us how effective convalescent plasma (plasma from people who have had coronavirus) is for treating coronavirus patients.

Managing breathlessness at home during the COVID-19 outbreak

Many pre-existing conditions, such as heart or lung diseases, cause breathlessness. Breathlessness can be very distressing, even in milder cases, and may be worsened by fears relating to the coronavirus.

Please click here for some tips for easing breathlessness at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Face coverings – exemptions

The requirement to wear a face covering on TfL’s public transport stations, platforms and services does not apply to children under the age of 11. You also do not ned to wear a face covering if you have a good reason not to, such as:

• If you have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering.
• If putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress.
• If you are travelling with, or providing assistance to, someone who relies on lip reading to communicate.
• If you are travelling to avoid injury or escape the risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you.
• If you need to remove it during your journey to avoid harm or injury or the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others.
• If you need to eat, drink, or take medication you can remove your face covering.
• If you are asked to remove your face covering by a police officer or other official, for example to check your railcard.

To download a face coverings exemption card, please click here.

COVID-19 – Information for our 13-19 year old patients

Please click the link below for more information on COVID-19 for young people.

Find out more

COVID-19 – Information and support for parents

Please click the link below for more information on the Coronavirus and support for parents.

Find out more

IMPORTANT - Isolation Advice

Current guidance is as follows:

If one person becomes unwell, they should self-isolate for seven days. If they live in a household, they must isolate for up to 14 days.

The example below is an easy way to explain this:

A four-person household contains a mother, father, son and daughter.

If the mother develops a continuous cough and high temperature, she should stay at home for seven days. The rest of the household needs to stay at home for 14 days.

Three days later, the daughter becomes ill. She needs to stay at home for seven days before being able to return to normal if she no longer has symptoms. The father and son do not develop symptoms and so must complete 14 days isolation before returning to normal.

For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk.

COVID Symptom Tracker

The COVID Symptom Tracker is an app created by doctors and scientists at King’s College London, Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals working in partnership with a health science company called ZOE Global.

The app will be used to study the symptoms of COVID-19 and track the spread of the virus. No analysis or data from the app is shared with anyone except researchers at King’s College London and the NHS.

To download the app, or for more information, please click here.

IMPORTANT – Coronavirus and medication

There have been some reports that people taking certain types of medication for high blood pressure may be at higher risk if on drugs called ACE inhibitors or ARB drugs. The evidence now suggests that they may even be protective with coronavirus so please do not stop taking any medication unless advised to do so by your doctor.

Current guidance is that it is best to take paracetamol for any pain or unbearable fever and not ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medication which may worsen coronavirus symptoms rather than help.

Please do not panic when ordering repeat prescriptions. In the same way we should think of others and not panic-buy food, there is plenty of supply but we need to use our medicines appropriately and not stockpile or over-order.

All prescriptions must now be requested via the Electronic Prescribing Service and will be sent to your designated pharmacy. Prescriptions are not to be collected at the surgery.

If you need help ordering your prescriptions electronically, please see your local pharmacist who will be happy to help

Staying Mentally Healthy During Coronavirus

Please click here for a guide to staying mentally healthy during Coronavirus compiled by Wimbledon College. This offers useful ideas that might help in this time of heightened anxiety and during novel challenges such as self-isolation.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Statistics reveal that domestic violence has surged since the start of the coronavirus lockdown. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is run by Refuge and offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day to victims and those who are worried about friends and loved ones.

• Telephone: 0808 2000 247
• Website: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

If you call 999 from a mobile in an emergency situation and need police help but cannot speak, the operator will transfer your call to the Silent Solution system. The system exists to help people who are unable to speak but who genuinely require police assistance. Once the call has been transferred, you will hear an automated message and will be prompted to press ’55’ if you require the police. Click here for more information about the Silent Solution service.

NHS Volunteer Responders

The NHS is looking for volunteers to help up to 1.5 million people who have been asked to shield themselves from Coronavirus because of underlying health conditions. You can sign up quickly and easily at goodsamapp.org/NHS to become an NHS Volunteer Responder. All volunteers will need to undertake training and background checks that are appropriate to the roles that they register for.

Your guide to decisions about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Most of us don’t want to think about what happens in our last years of life but, in the current uncertain times of a COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage everyone to read this leaflet, which has been created to help you to make informed decisions before having a conversation with a health professional about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Merton Drug And Alcohol Recovery Team

We provide assessment and treatment for Merton borough residents dependent on alcohol or opiates. Our services include assessment, prescribing, referral for Inpatient treatment and funding application for aftercare.

Telephone: 0208 687 4666

Website: www.swlstg.nhs.uk

Email: ssg-tr.mdart@nhs.net

EngageMerton

EngageMerton aims to relieve the suffering caused by drug and alcohol misuse through specialist complex psychosocial non-residential treatment.

Telephone: 0208 687 4598

Website: www.cdars.org.uk

Email: info@cdars.org.uk

WDP Merton

WDP Merton is a fully integrated, recovery-focused service delivered by WDP. We offer a free and confidential treatment and support for individuals and their families affected by drug and alcohol problems.

Telephone: 0300 303 4610

Website: www.wdp.org.uk

Email: info.merton@wdp.org.uk

Talk to Frank

If you have a problem with drugs Talk to Frank for friendly, confidential drugs advice.

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Text: 82111

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Email: frank@talktofrank.com

Drinkline

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence.

Telephone: 0300 123 1110

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 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.

Telephone: 0800 917 7650

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Email: help@aamail.org

Helpful Resources

A reading list consisting of self-help resources for anyone to use.

Take a look at our reading list.

Talk Off the Record

Free and confidential counselling to young people aged 11-25 in the Borough of Merton.

Telephone: 0203 984 4004

Website: www.talkofftherecord.org

Merton Uplift – Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

Merton Uplift is a free service supporting anyone who has a mental health or wellbeing need, whether this is due to emotional difficulties such as anxiety or depression, or life stressors. The service aims to support people with wellbeing in many ways so no problem is considered to be too small.

You do not need to be referred by your GP or any other health professional, you can complete a self-registration form on the website. 

Telephone: 020 3513 5888

Website: www.mertonuplift.nhs.uk

Sunshine Recovery Cafe

The Sunshine Recovery Café is open to adult residents of South West London (18+) who perceive themselves, or are at risk of moving into mental health crisis. It offers a constructive and non-clinical alternative to A&E or admission to hospital.

Telephone: 07908 436 617

Website: www.sunshinerecoverycafe.org

Location: The café is based within EngageMerton (which is run by CDARS) premises:

296a Kingston Road
London
SW20 8LX

Crisis Line

If you are a patient or caring for a patient who is cared for by the mental health service at Springfield Hospital, call your care coordinator or call the crisis line.

Main switchboard: 0208 682 6000

For out of hours and weekends: 0800 028 8000

Rethink

Rethink provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.

Telephone: 0300 5000 927

Website: www.rethink.org

Email: info@rethink.org

Samaritans

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Telephone: 116 123

Website: www.samaritans.org

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Wimbledon Guild of Social Welfare

Wimbledon Guild is a local charity helping to improve the wellbeing of people in Merton.

Website: www.wimbledonguild.co.uk

Location: Guild House, 30/32 Worple Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EF

Re-Engage

Re-engage is a national charity (previously known as Contact the Elderly) committed to bringing older people together into social groups at a time in their lives when their social circles are diminishing.

As the ageing population continues to grow, so does the epidemic of loneliness among older people. Social isolation and loneliness can have mental and physical health implications. Re-engage is committed to tackling this problem by helping older people to re-engage with their communities through regular face-to-face contact.

Telephone: 0800 716543

Email: info@reengage.org.uk

Coronavirus Advice

Elderly residents in Merton can contact Age UK’s free advice line on 0800 055 6112 between 8am-7pm every day. The Wimbledon Guild remain on hand for local advice and support and can be contacted on 020 8946 0735 or by email at info@wimbledonguild.co.uk.

Please be aware that during these times a small number of people with alternative ideas may seek to take advantage of the situation. At these times please remain mindful of the following advice:

– Seek assistance from trusted neighbours and friends wherever possible, or reputable local charities and churches if this isn’t possible.
– Only give cash to someone you know well and trust.
– Do not give your bank card and pin number out to anybody.
– Plan in advance as online shopping deliveries currently take over 7 days to arrive.
– Consider alternative delivery services to the supermarket, such as the local milk man (who can deliver groceries as well as milk) or businesses delivering food locally such as “veg box” type deliveries.

If you or someone you know is being targeted by a scammer purporting to be aiding with home assistance, or any other scam, then please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

Memory Lane Club

The Memory Lane Club is a friendly, lively drop-in service for those in the local Raynes Park and Wimbledon community affected by memory loss and dementia, and their carers.

The club, run by volunteers, first opened in March 2015 and aims to provide an informal welcoming space with a range of activities for those with dementia and their carers. 

Time: 10:30-12:30 every Wednesday

Venue: The Lounge, Sacred Heart Church Halls Complex, Edge Hill SW19 4LU

Email: edgehillmemorylaneclub@gmail.com

Interested in volunteering? Find out more either by emailing or speaking with Jenny (07906 856 183) or Charlotte (07714 702 735).

Playlist For Life

Playlist for Life taps into a recognised phenomenon: personally meaningful music has the ability to improve life for people with dementia, their family and their carers. The charity advocates access to personal music for everyone with dementia.

Facebook: playlistforlifeUK

Twitter: @PlaylistForLife

Telephone: 0141 404 0683

Website: www.playlistforlife.org.uk

Email: info@playlistforlife.org.uk

Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Age UK

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.

Telephone: 0800 169 2081

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Dementia

Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

Wimbledon Guild of Social Welfare

Wimbledon Guild is a local charity helping to improve the wellbeing of people in Merton.

Website: www.wimbledonguild.co.uk

Location: Guild House, 30/32 Worple Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EF

Age UK

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.

Telephone: 0800 169 2081

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Asthma UK

Our small team of asthma expert nurses is here to support people with asthma, their families and friends, and healthcare professionals.

You can call the helpline from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm to speak to a specialist asthma nurse for any queries for children and adults.

Helpline: 0300 222 5800

Website: www.asthma.org.uk

How to use your inhaler: www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhaler-videos

British Lung Foundation

Our aim is always to improve care – and to prevent, treat and cure lung diseases. Our helpline, support groups, web community and easy-to-understand information offer vital hope and support.

Helpline: 03000 030 555

Website: www.blf.org.uk

Diabetes UK

Get specialist information and advice on all aspects of living with diabetes. Call us for answers, support or just to talk to someone who knows about diabetes.

Telephone: 0345 123 2399

Website: www.diabetes.org.uk

Information in other Languages: www.diabetes.org.uk/Other_languages

The Veterans’ TIL Service

The Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison (TIL) Service (formerly known as London Veterans’ Service (LVS)) is a free NHS mental health service for all ex-serving members of the UK Armed Forces and service personnel who are making the transition to civilian life.

If you are a veteran, you can refer yourself to the service: to do so, or for more information, please visit: www.veteransservicelse.nhs.uk

Contact

Contact is a collaboration of military charities working with the NHS and the Ministry of Defence. The group aims to help the Armed Forces community access mental health and wellbeing support and provides multiple voluntary group contacts for anyone affected by PTSD.

Website: www.contactarmedforces.co.uk

New Parent's Guide

Please download our New Parent’s guide.

Community Midwives

There are five community teams, which cover designated areas of Wandsworth and Merton. To find your nearest team please visit St George’s University Hospital website.

Kingston Maternity

At Kingston Maternity Unit, our philosophy of care is to ensure women are at the centre of our service. We strive to make every birth special and ensure your hopes and expectations are met in this special experience.

Telephone: 020 8546 7711

Website: www.kingstonmaternity.org.uk

Epsom and St Helier Maternity Services

Our maternity services are provided at both the Epsom and St Helier hospitals. Both hospitals have inpatient antenatal (during pregnancy) and postnatal (after the birth) facilities along with midwifery-led birth centre and obstetric-led labour wards.

Telephone Epsom: 01372 735264

Telephone St Helier: 020 8296 3124

Website: www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk

Diet and lifestyle during Pregnancy

Please see the following leaflet for information on diet and lifestyle during pregnancy. It gives advice on diet, vitamins, pets and many more things.

Website: patient.info

Baby Buddy App

Baby Buddy is an award winning mobile phone app for new parents and parents-to-be, created by mums, doctors and midwives.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

What are Musculoskeletal (MSK) problems?

These are the aches and pains, arthritis, rheumatism, stiffness and injuries we are all prone to suffer from at sometime to our muscles, ligaments, tendons or joints.

It has been found that 20-30% of GP consultations can involve MSK complaints. A lot of these problems are minor and will resolve on their own with time and self-care measures.

The secret to managing MSK injuries is EARLY self-care with pain killers and exercise. Sometimes it may help to discuss your problem with a healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse or physical therapist (physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor).

You can self-refer for NHS physiotherapy through Connect Health’s Merton Community MSK Service

Telephone: 020 3795 3430

Musculoskeletal Referrals

Patients who are unable to refer themselves and would currently require a GP referral will now be able to access the service via a patient advocate calling the service instead of the patient. The patient representative will be required to provide the Patient Care adviser with the the patients name, date of birth and NHS number or first line of address plus postcode. This is the same requirement as the current self referral criteria.

Patients who are unable to have their first appointment via telephone will be offered a face to face appointment e.g. patients who require a interpreter or hard of hearing.

Red Cross: Borrow a wheelchair

Borrow or hire a wheelchair from the British Red Cross for a single trip or for short-term use.

Website: www.redcross.org.uk

Dial-a-Ride

Dial-a-Ride is TfL’s free door-to-door service for those with permanent or long-term disabilities.

Telephone: 0343 222 7777

Website: tfl.gov.uk

Email: dar@tfl.gov.uk

South West London Sexual Health

The nearest sexual health clinics are at the Patrick Doody Clinic and Wide Way Medical Centre. To find more local sexual health clinic locations and opening times, as well as useful details on STIs (including treatment), contraception and accessing emergency contraception, please visit shswl.nhs.uk

You can register for a home testing kist against STIs. Appointments can be booked online for this service.

Telephone: 0333 300 2100

Website: shswl.nhs.uk

Book an appointment online: swlondon.lilieonline.idoxcloud.com

Register online for a free STI home testing kit: www.shl.uk

Merton Young Person’s Risk and Resilience Service (C22 DiSC)

This specialist service aims to increase young people’s engagement in diversionary activities that support reductions in the use of substances, and promote sexual health and positive health choices.

Facebook: Catch22-Merton-DISC

Twitter: @MertonDisc

Telephone: 020 3701 8641

Website: www.catch-22.org.uk

Email: sarah.bell@catch-22.org.uk

Wolverton Sexual Health Kingston

Wolverton Sexual Health Centre provide a free, comprehensive and confidential sexual health service in Southwest London to everyone.

Twitter: @WolvertonCentre

Telephone: 020 8974 9331

Website: sexualhealthkingston.co.uk

Getting it on

Information and services for 13-19 year olds on sexual and mental health issues, drugs & alcohol and relationship problems.

Website: www.gettingiton.org.uk

Sexwise

Sexwise give you honest advice about contraception, pregnancy, STIs and pleasure.

Twitter: @sxwise

Website: sexwise.fpa.org.uk

Medical GU Department, St Helier Hospital

We operate both drop-in and appointment clinics. All clinics are open to both male and female patients.

Telephone: 020 8296 2543

Website: www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk

Patrick Doody Clinic (Merton)

For routine sexual health and contraception service led by our nursing team and booked appointments with doctors.

Telephone: 0333 300 2100

Website: shswl.nhs.uk

Spectra

Spectra work with all people, often from diverse and marginalised communities, empowering positive, informed choices about health, including sexual health, emotional resilience and wellbeing, and as well as working with people to combat isolation and risk.

Twitter: @Spectra_London

Telephone: 0800 587 8302 or 020 3322 6920

Website: spectra-london.org.uk

Email: info@spectra-london.org.uk

National Sexual Health Helpline

If you would like to talk to someone about a sexual health issue, you can call the national sexual health helpline. Your call will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence. The Sexual Health Helpline is open from 9am-8pm, Monday-Friday.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Website: www.nhs.uk/oneyou

Brook

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.

Website: www.brook.org.uk

One You Merton

Every cigarette causes you real harm and quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health.

Telephone: 020 8973 3545

Website: www.oneyoumerton.org

Stop Smoking London

The aim of the Stop Smoking London website is to make it as easy as possible for Londoners to find the best way of stopping for them.

Twitter: @StopSmokingLon

Telephone: 0300 123 1044

Website: london.stopsmokingportal.com

Quit with help

Everyone has a different reason for quitting, get a personalised Quit Smoking Plan.

Website: www.quitwithhelp.co.uk

One You Merton

One You Merton is here to help you make simple changes that can double your chances of enjoying a healthier life for longer.

Telephone: 020 8973 3545

Website: www.oneyoumerton.org

Slimming World

You’ll find delicious recipe and menu ideas at your local group, along with all the help you need to get started and reach your target weight.

Website: www.slimmingworld.co.uk