Get health advice and information

NHS 111

NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do.

Visit the NHS 111 webpage for more information.

NHS Better Health

NHS Better Health provide free tips, tools and support to improve your mental health and wellbeing.

Visit the NHS Better Health webpage for more information. 

Public Health Resource Library

The Stockton Public Health Information Library is available to anyone who is promoting health and wellbeing within Stockton-on-Tees. The library is open Monday-Friday 9am to 3pm and can be found at Redhill Family Hub, Redhill Road, Roseworth, TS19 9BX.

You can search our online Health Promotion Access Catalogue by topic and/or resource type to get a full list of relevant resources. You can register online and once your registration is complete you can browse the catalogue and place your orders online for upcoming health campaigns, events and activities.

If you have a query about any leaflet, poster or any other resource on our catalogue please email healthinformation.library@stockton.gov.uk.

Sun Safety

Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn doesn't just happen on holiday, you can burn in the UK, even when it's cloudy.

Visit the NHS website for more information on sunscreen and sun safety

Vaccination information

Vaccinations keep yourself and those around you safe from harmful diseases. This protection can stay with you throughout your life.

Find out more about vaccine availability and their safety on the NHS webpage for vaccinations.

Winter health

Cold weather in the winter months can affect your health especially for those with health problems, the elderly and/or vulnerable.

There are simple things you can do to keep warm and stay healthy over the winter such as:

Check your medicine cabinet

Ask your pharmacist what medicines should be in your cabinet to help you and your family this winter.

Many over-the-counter medicines (including paracetamol and ibuprofen) are available to relieve symptoms of common winter illnesses such as colds, sinusitis and painful middle ear infection (earache). Your pharmacist can help if you need any advice.

To manage winter illness symptoms at home, you should keep warm, rest, drink plenty of fluids, have at least one hot meal a day to keep your energy levels up and use over-the counter medicines to help give relief.

 Get medicine advice from the NHS.

Prescriptions

Make sure you get your prescription medicines before your pharmacy or GP practice closes for holidays. And, if you've been prescribed medication, make sure you antibiotics or any other take them as directed.

You can also order your repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, as well as make GP appointments. The NHS App is available on the App Store and on Google Play, 

Warmth

Make sure your home is heated to the correct temperature and improve insulation. If you or someone else is likely to be restricted to one room during the winter period or during a cold spell make sure that it can be kept at or above recommended temperatures and that you plan what resources you/they need to keep them safe and warm.

Ask your fuel supplier about their Priority Service Register for vulnerable customers, what this provides and if you are eligible.

Make sure you receive the support you are entitled to such as the Government's Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment schemes, and the local Warm Homes Healthy People Scheme.

It is also important to keep warm in winter when going outside by wearing several layers of light clothes, keep active inside and have regular hot drinks.  

Vaccinations

The flu vaccination and COVID Autumn booster provides valuable protection and is available to eligible residents by the NHS to help protect adults and children at risk of flu/COVID and its complications. Find out more about the flu vaccine or about the COVID autumn booster vaccination 

Prepare

Look out for vulnerable neighbours and help them prepare for winter, such as making sure they have key contact numbers for emergency situations, ensure they have access to warm food and drinks and are managing to heat their home adequately.

For more information on all issues related to winter health visit please visit the NHS website for winter health.

Mental Health Support

We all feel down from time to time, no matter our age. But if you've not been feeling yourself for a while, talking therapy could help you feel better. 

Speak to your GP practice about NHS Talking Therapies if you're feeling anxious, depressed, or struggling to cope. Your GP is there to help you - physically and mentally - and can refer you to the right service or you can also self-refer here

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust's helpline for 24-hour advice and support 0800 051 6171 or get online support

Pharmacies in Stockton-on-Tees

There are 39 pharmacies in Stockton-on-Tees. All pharmacies in addition to the dispensing of prescriptions provide a number of services including:

• disposal of unwanted medicines
• promotion of healthy lifestyles
• signposting people who require advice, treatment or support to an appropriate service

If you do not pay for prescriptions, you can get a wide range of medication free without the need to visit your GP. This includes for minor health conditions such as allergies, aches and pains, cold and flu, skin conditions, head lice, chicken pox and more.

Many pharmacies in Stockton-on-Tees also provide:

• emergency hormonal contraception or C card and chlamydia test kits
• stop smoking support
• services to support drug misusers
• healthy start vitamin supply
• flu vaccination
• advice about newly started medicines

Your GP or 111 may also refer you to a convenient pharmacy to receive pharmacist advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses, or for an urgent supply of a previously prescribed medicine.

You can find your nearest pharmacy on MyCouncil or by visiting the NHS find a pharmacy webpage.