MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT - FINANCIAL ISSUES

MacMillan Cancer Support offer a practical benefits section on their website to what benefits people diagnosed with cancer, their families and friends, may be entitled to.

Information includes an introduction to the benefits system; getting financial help; help for people of working age; help for carers; help for pensioners; help with children's costs, managing debt, legal affairs; and health and housing costs. Click here to access.

STROKE4CARERS WEBSITE

The Stroke4Carers website is a new site for unpaid carers, family and friends of anyone who has been affected by stroke illness.

The site offers practical advice, information and support online whenever needed. Click here to access.

CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE PORTAL

The Care for Older People website offers health and social care staff a 'one stop shop' for finding and sharing knowledge relating to the care of older people - including evidence, learning resources, legislation, standards and guidelines, has recently been launched.

The website also offers publications on topics such as nutrition, stroke, dementia, medicines management and much more. Click here to access.

LIVING WELL WITH DEMENTIA DVD

The Living Well with Dementia DVD is aimed at people who have just been given a diagnosis of dementia and is based on the experiences of people with dementia and carers.

The DVD uses their voices to: help people in the early stages of diagnosis understand more about their illness; · share experience around how to ‘live well’ after a diagnosis of dementia; as well as offering practical advice on coping with its effects; and · suggests where people with dementia and their carers can go for further support.

Copies of the DVD can be obtained from the Health Information & Resources Service, Stornoway Health Centre, Springfield Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2PS. Telephone 01851 701545 or email Marissa Maclennan, Health Information & Resources Officer.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG SURVEY

The Outer Hebrides Alcohol Drug Partnership are asking people to complete their alcohol and drugs survey to help plan future alcohol and drug services in the Outer Hebrides.

The survey is completely ANONYMOUS and helps find out what is happening in our local communities - there are two surveys (just add appropriate link into your browser); ·

* General Survey for aged 25 years and over visit link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/39CQYMC ·
* Youth survey for aged 11 – 25 years Visit link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3DW85QGSee more.

Alternatively, click here to access ADP website and undertake survey.

PALLIATIVE CARE PATIENT INFORMATION

Information leaflets have been made available online to view or download to help people understand more about palliative care and some of the treatments for symptoms like pain and sickness.

The leaflets offer general advice on pain management; symptoms such as constipation, sickness and fatigue; and other issues such as power of attorney, and medicines and painkillers. Nb. For further information/questions on topics, patients/carers are encouraged to speak to their own doctor or nurse.

Click here to access information leaflets.

Health Promotion Department (Stornoway Office) Moves

Members of the Health Promotion Department in Stornoway's Bank Street office will be moving location as of Wednesday 5th October. Staff currently based at Bank Street, Stornoway, will be relocating as follows:

HPV IMMUNISATION VACCINE

NHSWI Health Visitors will shortly begin immunising girls in Secondary 2 across the Western Isles from September.

Older girls under 18 years are also still eligible for the programme. Those attending school can still be vacinated in school if they have not previously been immunised, or if they need to complete the course (three doses). For further information please contact Sheila MacLeod (Lewis & Harris) tel. 01851 703545 or Isabel MacInnes (Uists & Barra) tel. 01870 602266.

BE INSPIRED

Beinspired is the local website from NHSWI's Dept of Nutrition & Dietetics. Here you can find information about local weight management groups, tips to lose weight sensibly, help on achieving a healthier lifestyle, as well as a range of delicious healthy recipes.

HEALTH IN MY LANGUAGE

Healthinmylanguage is the website which offers information about health related services in Scotland which have been translated into different languages.

EASYHEALTH

Easyhealth.org.uk is the useful website from Mencap for those with learning difficulties. The site offers information on health problems and illnesses, staying healthy, accessing healthcare, first aid, additional useful links. Information also includes a simple picture/diagram to help understanding of the subject.

'HIRS Western Isles' ON FACEBOOK

Added: 25th February 2011

The Health Information & Resources Service (HIRS) is now on Facebook raising awareness of the service, promoting the wide range of materials and health topics available free of charge.

So next time you access Facebook, visit 'HIRS Western Isles', select the 'Like' button and 'Share' it with your friends. By following us on Facebook, you can see what HIRS has to offer you.

Website Launch - W.I. Alcohol & Drug Partnership (ADP)

Alcohol Awareness Week marked the launch of the Western Isles ADP website. This site will act as a main information point for drug and alcohol services in the Western Isles.

Click here for more...

NHSinform

NHSinform is the new national health information service providing a co-ordinated approach and a single source of quality assured health information for the public in Scotland. Tel. 0800 22 44 88 or visit www.nhsinform.co.uk

Click here for more...

PARENTINGWI WEBSITE

The ParentingWI website is aimed at parents and carers and contains useful information from the early stages of pregnancy, to the birthing process, babyhood, toddlerhood, childhood - and beyond! Local groups and agencies are also included.

Click here for more...

CARE INFORMATION SCOTLAND

Care Information Scotland is a telephone and website service providing information about care services for older people living in Scotland. Telephone 08456 001 001 Mon-Fri: 10am-8pm, Sat: 10am-4pm. Click here for more...

Living Life is the new telephone service based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for people who are feeling low, depressed or anxious. Simply telephone 0800 328 9655. Click here for more...

The Healthy Weighs program offers information and advice on losing weight through a sensible eating and exercise plan. Held each Wednesdays 5pm-6pm in Lews Sports Centre and led by NHSWI Dietetics Department. Click here for more...