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Welcome to the April edition of the NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group newsletter - this edition is focused on your health care options this coming weekend and useful resources to support you during this time.


Your health care options this Easter holiday weekend
All GP practices will be open on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Most practices will also be open on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April.

But you are reminded that you need to telephone your practice first and not to turn up unless specifically advised to do so by a member of staff

Many local pharmacies will also be open over the Easter weekend * at the time of writing this list of pharmacies has not yet been published by NHS England - as soon as we receive this information we'll publish it on our website.

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms of a high temperature and new, continuous cough should remain at home and not go their GP practice, pharmacy or hospital and follow the advice on NHS 111 Online.

For non-cornoavirus health concerns if you or a family member feels unwell firstly visit the NHS 111 Online symptom checker or contact your local pharmacy for help and advice, as many minor illnesses can be treated without needing to see a primary care health professional.
Read more and see opening times of GP practices HERE

Dr Christopher Browning, a GP in Long Melford and chairman of NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, was interviewed on this morning's BBC Radio Suffolk - he was talking about health care options this holiday weekend.
Listen to Dr Browning's interview from 1 hr 34 mins 25 secs HERE
Suffolk GP, Dr Mark Shenton, has been speaking to the Bury Free Press, reminding patients that GPs are there to help and people shouldn't delay in seeking help and advice for health concerns. 
He says, "I think many people feel we are too busy and they are sitting with their symptoms - thinking of contacting us once this has gone by."
Read Dr Shenton's interview HERE
Looking after your mental health 
One of Suffolk's leading mental health experts, Dr John Hague, has been sharing some very good advice to support your mental wellbeing during this time.
He says: "To maintain your wellbeing it is important to look after your mind and body especially well in the next few weeks.

“To aid your mental health, you have to look after your physical health. Eat well, exercise, don’t smoke or don’t drink too much.

 
“It is also important to keep a routine, get up at the same time and make a to do list. When you tick items off you begin to feel good about things.”
Read more from Dr Hague HERE
 
Live Life To The Full - check out this useful website to support your mental wellbeing during this time - it is packed with useful resources.
Visit Live Life To The Full HERE
Webinars to support you - the CCG-commissioned Wellbeing Suffolk service is running a series of webinars during this time of coronavirus. 
Webinar topics include improving your sleep, working from home/isolation, online mindfulness.
Visit Wellbeing Suffolk HERE
Looking after your physical health

We're very pleased to support the Keep Moving Suffolk campaign which offers great advice, tips and motivation for all ages to keep active both in and out of the home.
Get moving more by visiting the Keep Moving Suffolk website HERE
Stay at home - Protect the NHS - Save lives

Please follow the national guidelines and only leave your home for:

- Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
- One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
- Any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- Travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home
Visit the national advice pages HERE
Read the Easter message from Suffolk's NHS, emergency and public services HERE

From our friends at St Edmundsbury Cathedral - services for Holy Week and Easter will be livestreamed from the cathedral's Facebook page.
Read more HERE
Sign up - our partners at the East of England Ambulance Service have asked us to share details of how you can sign-up to receive their regular newsletter.
Click here to sign up for the newsletter
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