Tel: 01795 905577

Where to Get Help

Where to get help
Please note that any information about private providers are provided for convenience of users and is by no means a recommendation from the GPs or the GP practice.

Please report any broken links, or let us know if you feel any of the information provided is incorrect or out of date.
Abbey Physic Community Garden

The APCG helps breakdown social isolation through informal networking by providing a space to meet casually, to relax and de-stress.

We focus on the Gardens ability to affect good mental and physical health by providing:

  • Therapeutic Gardening
  • Horticultural Gardening
  • Faversham Community Kitchen (Grub Club-Healthy eating/cooking on a budget and a shared meal with others)
  • Ground Force Action Team (St Mary’s Churchyard-greening community spaces)
  • Faversham Men’s shed organisation
    • The aim of Faversham Men’s Shed is to increase the men’s shed membership with the priority that we all help each other, have fun and build friendships along the way.
    • We would like to design our own brand type items that are unique to the Faversham Men’s Shed. To enhance our presence and identity we have designed our own logo for correspondence (see attached newsletter) and hopefully our own t-shirts that all members will receive.
    • Faversham Men’s Shed has introduced a membership application form and a signing in system to assist with the welfare and happiness of what we hope will be a fantastic and friendly atmosphere.
    • The Faversham Men’s Shed hope to help local projects by making bird and bat boxes, also making minor repairs such as picture frames or garden furniture. Faversham Men’s Shed needs you.
    • The Men’s Shed is open Weds-Fri 10am -2pm or email Ian Hardie – [email protected] for more information.
  • Coping with Depression (run by Kent Mind)
  • Coping with Anxiety and Stress (run by Kent Mind)
  • Weekly Peer support (Kent Mind and APCG trained members. Wednesdays 12pm-2pm)
  • Happiness Cafe (monthly Well-Being)
  • Art and crafts (willow basketry and pottery)
  • Green Woodworking

Open Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays 9am-2pm. Tuesdays 10am-3pm (Horticultural Training). Saturdays 11am-3pm (run by volunteers)

01795 539915 or www.abbeyphysic.org or [email protected]

Abbey Place, Faversham, ME13 7BG.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme

AAA screening is offered to men during the screening year (1st April to 31st March) that they turn 65.

In England, around four per cent of men aged between 65 and 74 years have AAA (approx. 80,000 men). This results in around 6,000 deaths per year. There are generally no symptoms.

Risk factors for AAA include:

  • male
  • 65 years and over
  • smoking
  • hypertension

AAA screening is a simple, painless procedure carried out in one of 39 local venues across Kent by trained technicians. The result is available immediately.

If an aneurysm is detected, depending on the size, either surveillance by further scans or referral to a vascular specialist to discuss treatment options will be offered.
 
The team welcome self-referrals from men who are aged over 65 and who haven’t previously been screened as part of the AAA Screening programme.

More information can be found by visiting the national programme website or by contacting the Kent and Medway AAA Screening Office on:
01227 868775 or [email protected]

Addiction (drug and alcohol) services

The East Kent Community Drug and Alcohol Service is provided by a partnership of three registered charities – Forward, Nacro and Rethink mental illness. The services provides support for anyone with drug or alcohol problems living in East Kent. 

Covering from Faversham to the Isle of Sheppey, including Sittingbourne and all villages, the East Kent Community Drug and Alcohol Service at Swale provides treatment services at the main hub in Sittingbourne, a satellite in Faversham, three further satellites in Sheerness and one in Eastchurch as well as working closely with partner agencies locally.

Want to find out more?

01795 411780 or 0300 123 1186 (24hr telephone line)

Forward Trust Swale

[email protected]

6-8 Park Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 1DR

  • Mon (not bank holiday) 9am-5pm
  • Tue 9am-7pm
  • Wed 9am-5pm
  • Thu 9am-5pm
  • Fri 9am-5pm

Younger people

We Are With You in Kent for Young People is the commissioned provider of drug and alcohol support for young people aged between 10- 18 and some 18-24 year olds.

  • Under 18s
    • We offer 1:1 support to young people using substances on their own goals whether that’s getting advice, cutting down or stopping completely.
  • 18- 24s
    • We offer 1-1 support with a worker, in person or via video call. Sessions are tailored to the individual needs of the young adult, with a focus on minimising the harm and risk associated with their substance use.
    • Young adults should be referred to adult services (see above under East Kent Community Drug and Alcohol Service) if they;
      • are opiate or alcohol dependent
      • are required to attend a drug and alcohol service as part of a court order

How to refer into our service

  • Young people can self refer to access our service via our website www.wearewithyou.org.uk
  • Or phone: 01795 500881
  • Or email: [email protected]
  • Online Web Chat Service
    • Monday-Friday 9am-9pm
    • Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm

Al-Anon Family Groups

Al-Anon Family Groups UK & Eire is there for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking.

Find out more information about Al-Anon Family Groups and the support available

Advocacy for all
  • Advocacy is when one person helps another person talk about their needs and wishes.
  • All our one to one advocacy services are free, confidential and independent.
    • Advocacy for people with a learning disability in Kent (must be over 18, have a learning disability and be a resident of Kent)
    • Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA) help people who are assessed to lack capacity about medical treatment or where they live, and have no family or friends that it would be appropriate to consult with about those decisions.

0345 310 1812

www.advocacyforall.org.uk for further information and to send a message

Touch Base Project-Kent & Medway

  • For people with Autism/Aspergers and mental health issues-self referral only
  • What we offer:
    • Peer support buddying
    • Some 1-1 timed support
    • Peer Support groups
    • Social meet ups
    • Phone, text and online zoom support
  • Drop in support can be arranged:
    • Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
    • Saturday 8am-1pm
    • Sunday 2pm-7pm
    • Bank Holidays 11am-2pm
  • Contact us on 0345 310 1812 or [email protected]
Age UK Faversham & Sittingbourne

Services for people 50 plus.

Day Centre Services

  • Our Day Centre in Faversham is open 7 days a week from 9am to 4pm and our Sittingbourne Day Centre is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm. We provide a range of services within our centres.
  • Day Services
    • Age UK Faversham and Sittingbourne have centres based in Sittingbourne, Faversham and Teynham. We provide a welcoming atmosphere, and a culture that champions independence, dignity and choice.
    • At our centres you can meet new people and make new friends. We will make sure that you receive a warm welcome and feel comfortable. The centres are lively and there is always something going on, however, there is also a place for those that prefer quieter pursuits and there is no pressure to join in any of the activities if you choose not to.
    • Activities we regularly hold at the centres include gentle chair based exercise, sing alongs, quizzes, arts and crafts, and bingo. There are also card and board games available for those that like to play these.
    • A two course, freshly cooked lunch is served daily. We use fresh local meat and vegetables and prepare the meals in our own kitchen. We can cater for most diets and food intolerances. There is a coffee bar for snacks and drinks to eat on the premises or to take home.
    • We offer door-to-door transport if needed, in our own wheelchair accessible minibuses with tail-lifts. You can choose to make your own way to the centre and stay for the whole day, come along just for lunch, or drop in for companionship, whichever suits you.
    • At all 3 centres you will have your own keyworker who will get to know you and ensure that we offer you the right level of support.
    • We organise a number of trips throughout the year to places that centre clients have suggested. Recent trips have included: shopping, pub lunches, garden centres, boat and coastal trips.
    • At all 3 of our centres we have on site Hairdressing, Chiropody and basic foot care & nail care, these are all offered at subsidised prices.
  • Day Services for people living with Dementia
    • We provide day opportunities for older people living with Dementia. We will work with you to help maintain and stimulate existing skills and memories using music workshops, art activities, cognitive and light physical games, conversation and other activities
    • Located in a secure and homely setting, the staff work closely with each person. In a warm and friendly atmosphere our staff care about each individual and take the time to ensure that everyone’s needs are met.
  • COGS Club
    • COGS Club is for people living with mild to moderate Dementia. The club welcomes those who have been newly diagnosed and those who have lived with their diagnosis for some time. The club runs sessions using Cognitive Stimulation Therapy which is designed to help you maintain and develop an active mind and support those with memory loss. Our clients have found that these sessions are very useful in helping them cope with everyday life.

Community Services

  • Personal Care
    • Our high quality personal care service has a reputation of offering good quality, consistent care. We understand how good personal care can make a huge difference to your quality of life. Our staff are well trained, friendly, genuinely care and will work to ensure that they maintain your independence, dignity and choice.
  • Meals on Wheels
    • Freshly cooked lunch delivered to your home every day. Our Meals on Wheels Service offers a freshly cooked, two course lunch and can deliver to the Faversham and Sittingbourne areas and surrounding villages 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
  • Bathing
    • In Faversham and Teynham we can help you bathe either in your own home or at our centre. In Sittingbourne we currently only offer help bathing at our centre but we are hoping to offer help to bathe at home soon. Our bathing staff are highly trained and will help you bathe safely and with dignity.
  • Befriending Service
    • Are you over 50? Do you feel lonely or isolated? Do you live in the ME13 post code area?
    • We offer a free befriending service to socially isolated people aged 50 or above living in our community.
    • We seen to carefully match each suitable candidate with a volunteer nearby to visit them once a week. “Friends” might enjoy a chat and a cuppa or perhaps play a game, do puzzles, go for a local walk, swap stories, and hopefully enjoy some laughs. This should be an hour a week for both parties to look forward to and enjoy
    • For more information, please contact:
  • Pop-in Cafés
    • You are always welcome to drop in for a coffee, sandwich or snack at any of our centres from 10am -3pm during the week and the Faversham Centre is also open at weekends.
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy enables people to make informed choices and supports people when it is difficult for them to speak up for themselves. Our Advocacy Service is free and covers Faversham, Sittingbourne, the Isle of Sheppey, Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable.
  • Care Navigator
    • Care Navigator offers free, impartial, confidential advice aimed at people over 50 who feel they need extra support to enable them to remain independent in their own home. Clients referred by a health professional can be aged 18 or over. The Care Navigator can also help you access aids and equipment to enable you to continuing living safely at home.
  • Dementia Carer Support
    • We can offer you one to one support and advice to help make life easier. We can also offer a listening ear and at our Dementia Cafés you can meet other people caring for those living with Dementia

01795 532766 or 01795 477520

Audiology (hearing loss) service

Although hearing aids are free on the NHS, the hearing aid remains the property of the NHS, and is given to you on loan. If is it believed any damage is incurred because of mishandling you may have to compensate the NHS.

Please note that although all NHS hearing aids are now digitial they are the Behind The Ear (BTE) style. If you want the smaller more discreet Receiver in Canal (RIC) style or Invisible in Canal (IIC) hearing aids, you would need to purchase these privately. Private audiology services offer free hearing test.

If you wish to have NHS hearing aids, please see your GP first to check your ears for wax. Local NHS providers are:

  • Audiology department, Kent & Canterbury Hospital.
  • Hearbase Ltd
  • Northgate Medical Practice
  • Specsavers Faversham

List of some local private providers in alphabetical order:

  • amplifon, Canterbury. 01227 207108
  • John High Opticians and Hearing Centre, Faversham. 01795 532803
  • Hearbase, Canterbury. 0800 0286179
  • Specsavers, Faversham. 01795 538319

Hi Kent (01227 760046) is a local charity for deaf and hard of hearing people who can offer advice and free aftercare clinics.

Blood Tests (phlebotomy)

Routine blood tests (18 years and over) can be booked at the practice-please contact reception to see our phlebotomist or Health Care Assistant.

  • If the blood test is for a specialist, they should have given you a paper blood test form to get it done.
    • You will need to bring the paper blood test form with you for the appointment.
    • Without the paper blood test form, we will not be able to do the blood test for you.
  • If the blood test is for your GP, then we create an online form, so there if no need to have a paper blood test form.

Blood tests (5 years and over) can also be done at the local hospitals-Kent & Canterbury Hospital (Canterbury), William Harvey Hospital (Ashford), Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (Margate), Buckland Hospital (Dover) and Royal Victoria Hospital (Folkestone). Please see this link for further information and this link to book an appointment. If you can’t access this form online, please phone 01227 206739 instead.

  • If the blood test is for a specialist, they should have given you a paper blood test form to get it done.
    • You will need to bring the paper blood test form with you for the appointment.
    • Without the paper blood test form, the hospital phlebotomist not be able to do the blood test for you.
  • If the blood test is for your GP, we will need to print off a paper copy of the blood test form for the hospital phlebotomist.

Children’s blood tests (Under 5 years old) are done on the Paediatric wards at the hospital. Please phone to book an appointment.

  • William Harvey Hospital, Ashford-Padua Ward 01233 651855
  • Kent & Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury-Dolphin Ward 01227 864052
  • Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate-Broadstairs Suite 01843 225544
Blue Badge-Disabled parking

Apply via Kent County Council

You automatically qualify if:

  • you receive higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
  • or you receive War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
  • or you receive Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) award, tariffs 1-8 and have been assessed by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty walking
  • or you are registered as blind under the National Assistance Act 1948 (partially sighted people do not automatically qualify)
  • you receive 8 points or more under the “moving around” activity of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

You may qualify if:

  • you have a child under 3 years old and need to transport bulky medical equipment for urgent treatment, or always be near a vehicle so they can be treated or driven to a place for treatment for a permanent illness
  • or you drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and can’t work or have considerable difficulty working parking meters
  • or have a permanent and substantial disability which affects your mobility and means you have considerable difficulty in walking.

Mobility assessment

We may ask you to come to an independent mobility assessment if we can’t decide based on your application. It is just to assess your mobility, not your general health. It’s free and carried out by a qualified professional.

Hospice patients

If you are receiving treatment from a hospice, they should use their official stamp on the address section of the form so we can prioritise the application.

Contact your hospice for more information.

Bowel cancer screening

Why it’s offered

Bowel cancer is a common type of cancer in both men and women. About 1 in 20 people will get it during their lifetime.

Screening can help detect bowel cancer at an early stage, when it’s easier to treat. It can also be used to help check for and remove small growths in the bowel called polyps, which can turn into cancer over time.

Screening test

The type of test used in NHS bowel cancer screening:

  • home testing kit (the FOB test) – a kit you use to collect small samples of your poo and post them to a laboratory so they can be checked for tiny amounts of blood (which could be caused by cancer)

If these tests find anything unusual, you might be asked to have further tests to confirm or rule out cancer.

When it’s offered

NHS bowel cancer screening programme is being expanded to eventually include patients 50 and over:

Cohort age at first invitationYear invitations start from
Age 562021/22
Age 582022/23
Age 542023/24
Age 50 and 522024/25
  • if you’re 60 to 74, you’ll automatically be invited to do a home testing kit every 2 years
  • if you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a home testing kit every 2 years by calling the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60

If you’re too young for screening but are worried about a family history of bowel cancer, speak to your GP for advice.

Always see a GP if you have symptoms of bowel cancer at any age – don’t wait to have a screening test.

Risks of screening

No screening test is 100% reliable. There’s a chance a cancer could be missed, meaning you might be falsely reassured.

There’s also a small risk that the bowel scope screening test and some of the tests you might have if screening finds something unusual could damage your bowel, but this is rare.

There are no risks to your health from the home testing kit.

Click here for further information.

Breast cancer screening

About 1 in 8 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. If it’s detected early, treatment is more successful and there’s a good chance of recovery.

Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early. It uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they’re too small to see or feel.

But there are some risks of breast cancer screening that you should be aware of.

As the likelihood of getting breast cancer increases with age, all women aged 50 to 70 and registered with a GP are automatically invited for breast cancer screening every 3 years.

In the meantime, if you’re worried about breast cancer symptoms, such as a lump or area of thickened tissue in a breast, or you notice that your breasts look or feel different from what’s normal for you, don’t wait to be offered screening – see your GP.

Why is breast screening offered?

Most experts agree that regular breast screening is beneficial in identifying breast cancer early.

The earlier the condition is found, the better the chances of surviving it.

You’re also less likely to need a mastectomy (breast removal) or chemotherapy if breast cancer is detected at an early stage.

The main risk is that breast screening sometimes picks up cancers that may not have caused any symptoms or become life threatening. You may end up having unnecessary extra tests and treatment.

Read about the pros and cons of breast cancer screening.

When will I be offered breast screening?

Breast screening is currently offered to women aged 50 to 70 in England.

But currently there’s a trial to examine the effectiveness of offering some women one extra screen before the age of 50 and one after 70.

You’ll first be invited for screening between your 50th and 53rd birthday, although in some areas you’ll be invited from the age of 47 as part of the trial extension of the programme.

You may be eligible for breast screening before the age of 50 if you have a very high risk of developing breast cancer. For more information, read having a family history of breast cancer.

If you’re over the age of 70, you’ll stop receiving screening invitations.

You can still have screening after 70 if you want to, and can arrange an appointment by contacting your local screening unit or GP.

Find breast screening units in your area.

What happens during breast screening?

Breast screening involves having an X-ray (mammogram) at a special clinic or mobile breast screening unit. This is done by a female health practitioner.

Your breasts will be X-rayed one at a time. The breast is placed on the X-ray machine and gently but firmly compressed with a clear plate. Two X-rays are taken of each breast at different angles.

For more information, read what happens during breast cancer screening. 

Breast screening results

After your breasts have been X-rayed, the mammogram will be checked for any abnormalities.

The results of the mammogram will be sent to you and your GP no later than 2 weeks after your appointment.

Following screening, about 1 in 25 women will be called back for further assessment.

Being called back doesn’t mean you definitely have cancer. The first mammogram may have been unclear.

About 1 in 4 women who are called back for further assessment are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Read more about understanding your results.

Click here for further information.

Breastfeeding

Kent Baby Matters help promote breastfeeding support groups in Kent. Call 0300 302 0223

  • Faversham Breastfeeding Group with Peer Support. Wednesday 1pm-3pm. St Mary’s Children Centre, Orchard Place, Faversham, ME13 8AP. Call 03000 411033
Cancer

Do I have cancer?

If you are concerned that you may have symptoms that could point to cancer please visit the following website. If you have a risk of a particular type of cancer that is greater than 3% it does not mean that you have cancer, or even that you need further tests, but you may do, and so you should arrange an appointment with your GP to discuss it further.

Support numbers/website for cancer patients

  • Cancer Care Line 01227 868666
    • Contact number for patient wishing to seek advice from their Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy urgent advice line for patients 01227 783096
    • 24 hour patient advice line for patients currently having chemotherapy or immunotherapy
  • One You walking programmes
  • Cancer exercise referral scheme for physical activity and exercise
  • Benefit and Employment support 01227 762122
    • The Macmillan Welfare Benefits Service helps people living with cancer and beyond cancer, their families and carers to:
      • Apply for social security benefits and tax credits
      • Access Macmillan and other charitable grants
      • Apply for help with health costs, such as travel to hospital
      • Apply for travel concessions, such as disabled parking badge
      • Deal with other benefit issues, such as challenging decisions
      • Representation to Appeal against incorrect benefit decisions
    • Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
    • [email protected]
  • Cross Roads Carer Support 03450 956701
    • Crossroads Care Kent support Carers and the people they care for. We help Carers to make a life of their own outside caring by providing quality care services offering peace of mind while they enjoy some time to themselves.
  • Macmillan0808 808 0000
    • Charity which offers support to individuals, families and carers through a number of services. They provide free booklets, leaflets and other resources.
    • Mon-Fri 9am-8pm
  • Complementary Therapies 01795 663050
    • Harmonies Trust delivering therapies to cancer patients (referral form can be signed by your Oncologist or Macmillan Nurse)
  • Faversham Counselling Service (FCS) and Macmillan-Recovery and Support Journey Talking group.
    • Recovery and Support Journey Talking groups for people living with cancer, developing coping strategies and techniques for everyday life.
    • Facilitated by experienced Counsellors and Wellbeing Practitioners.
    • The Group Programme will be starting on the 29th November 2023.
      • Sessions are every Wednesday for 8 weeks: 29/11/23 – 24/01/24 (not 27/12/23) and 31/1/24 – 20/03/24
      • Online 9am-12pm
      • Face to face 2pm – 5pm running concurrently at the following locations:
        • Ashford: One You Centre, Park Mall, TN24 8RY
        • Thanet: Palm Bay room, Holy Trinity Church, Margate, CT9 3TN
      • For enquiries and to book please email: [email protected] or call us on 01795 591019.
Carers Support

Supporting those who care for a relative or friend.

A Carer is someone who, without payment provides help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help due to physical or mental illness, addiction or disability. Becoming a Carer can happen to anyone at any time and affects people from all cultures and of all ages.

Click here or call 01304 364637

Carers’ Support East Kent (CSEK)

Over the last few months, Carers have become more isolated than ever and many more people have become Carers for the first time. While our usual face to face services have been suspended, we’ve been working hard to provide access to more of our information and support services online. We now have a brand new website (www.carersek.org.uk) which includes a live chat function (Mon-Fri 9-5) and have launched a Carers Forum where Carers can connect with each other and share information. We’ve also moved some of our drop-in sessions online and introduced some online wellbeing sessions including Knit and Natter, Chair Yoga and a group for Young Adult Carers. We’re also publishing a range of information videos for Carers.

We’ve also taken the opportunity to update our leaflets – our service, Carers’ Hospital Service, Carers’ Needs Assessments, Services for Young Adult Carers. You can find PDFs of them all here

Crossroads Care Kent

We help Carers to make a life of their own outside caring by providing quality care services offering peace of mind while they enjoy some time to themselves.

If you are providing care or support to a family member or friend because they are ill, elderly, frail or have a physical or learning disability, we can help. Our aim is to keep loved ones and the caring unit together.

Some of the services on offer:

  • Short breaks for carers
  • Carers Counselling-up to 12 weeks free counselling. Held in a safe, confidential environment offering you the opportunity to explore your own thoughts and feelings whilst learning coping strategies to move forward in your caring role.
  • Young Carers support
  • End of Life Care support
  • Crisis Service
  • Health appointment cover for Carers
  • Dementia Outreach service-Cognitive Stimulation Group (COGS) is a club for people with mild to moderate dementia. The clubs are aimed at encouraging members to participate in meaningful activities, such as word games, current affairs, number games and creative fun in order to maintain an active mind. Clubs in Maidstone, Southborough and West Malling. Each session is £35, including lunch and refreshments through the day.
  • Volunteer Service-In partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support.

Website here.

e-mail: [email protected]

telephone: 03450 956 701

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common medical disorder caused by entrapment of the median nerve in the wrist-this causes symptoms of tingling (pins and needles) in the thumb, index, and ring fingers. This is often worse at night.

East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust run a web site to help diagnose, track and record symptom severity and response to treatment. Patients are able to sign up to an account and complete an online questionnaire. If the questionnaire indicates a high risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, patients are able to contact the specialist directly via the website to arrange further testing and treatment.

Further information for patients can be found at www.carpal-tunnel.net.

Children ADHD and ASD referrals

Before considering a referral for ADHD/ASD assessment, please read the following guidance provided by East Kent Children’s Commissioning Support Team:

“Considerable support is available within Early Years and education settings to support children and young people. Staff have often received training in managing many of the problems experienced. We want to ensure the full pathway is being accessed, particularly the early stages, before a referral for assessment is made.

Early Years and school settings attend Local Inclusion Forum Teams (LIFT) as a place to discuss issues relating to a child’s education and to receive guidance on providing the correct educational approach. LIFTs are attended by Specialist Teaching and Learning Services (STLS), Educational Psychologists, Speech and language Therapy, as well as CAMHS workers and Early Help. LIFTs also provide learning opportunities for families to develop further understanding of ASD in such areas as managing sleep, surviving the supermarket and use of social stories as a strategy. Kent Educational Psychologists are also available to provide specialist advice within the educational setting around issues preventing a child from accessing the curriculum, either due to academic or behavioural problems. School Nurses or Health Visitors are also able to provide initial interventions, particularly around ASD.

Schools can directly refer children to assessment services, and parents/patients can self-refer. Access is not exclusively through the GP.

In order to ensure the pathway is being followed correctly, before agreeing to a referral for ADHD/ASD assessment, please ask the following:

Whether the family has sought advice from the education or early years setting, and what the outcome was if so?

If it does not appear that the pathway has been followed, please direct the family to their school SENCO or early years link worker, who can discuss the LIFT process with them.”

Click here for a link to a Handbook for Kent families who would like to know more about Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. Please note this does not cover Medway although some of the information in the book may be of interest. It was developed with help from parents and carers of children waiting for an assessment for autism and/or ADHD in the Canterbury area. The parents and partners involved in developing this Handbook wanted to make sure it has information that families would find useful.

There are also some helpful videos for parents of children recently diagnosed with Autism.

The Autism Apprentice CIC also run some Advice Clinics for parents.

The process for referral at NELFT is here. They accept self referrals from parents and from the young person directly.

Cygnet Parenting Support Programme for parents and carers of autistic childen and young people aged 5-18.

ADHD Foundation have a wide range of videos, podcasts and downloads to help with concerns such as sleep support, preparing for exams, impulse control and risk management, supporting social skills and relationships, and staying calm and positive.

Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) have a good range of CBT modules which can help with common issues such as productivity, executive function, problem solving and active listening skills.

ADDitude have a good overview of apps to help with ADHD and time management issues.

Children and Young People Mental Health Services

If your child is struggling at school, your first port of call should be the school SENCO to raise your concerns. Please try and be clear as to that you are struggling with.

If you are still having issues the school can refer you to local services run by NELFT (see below) or you can self refer.

North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) will provide the new county wide Children & Young People’s Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) from 1 September 2017.

This is part of a number of developments in recent months to improve support services for children and young people’s emotional health and well being including more support for emotional health through the School Health Service which began in April 2017 and the roll out of the Headstart programme in Kent.

Part of the offer will be Mental Health Workers in the Early Help Units and in the Kent Education Health Needs Service. There will be a single point of access for referrals to the new service and referrals will be welcomed from all sources.

Click here for information about the support services available.

Click here to access their website with further details, or else you can access their online self-help resources by signing up for free to MindFresh

Making a referral:

Children and Young people, parents, school, and other professionals can refer directly by

  • Telephone 0800 011 3474 (Single point of access-24hr a day for crisis or emergencies)

There are alternate online services available

  • www.bigwhitewall.com to join our online mental health community
  • Kooth, from XenZone, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use. For more information about Kooth, please visit Kooth.com. If you’re a parent looking for more information about Kooth, please email [email protected]
  • Headstart Kent -locally based, online resource for 10-16yr olds
  • Chill Panda App on your smartphone (anxiety)
  • Calm Harm App on your smartphone (self harm)

Useful books

  • Worries and Anxiety
    • Starving the Anxiety Gremlin (Kate Collins-Donnelly)
    • My Hidden Chimp (Steve Peters)
    • The Big Life Journal (biglifejournal.com)
    • What to do when you worry too much: A kid’s guide to overcoming anxiety (Dawn Huebner and Bonnie Matthews)
  • Emotional Regulation and Defiance
    • The Explosive Child (Ross W Greene)
    • 10 days to a less defiant child (Jeffrey Bernstein)
    • The Incredible 5-Point Scale (Kari Dunn Buron and Mitzi Curtis)
    • 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 (Thomas Phelan)
  • General Troubleshooting
    • The Incredible Years: A trouble-shooting guide for parents of children aged 2-8 years (Carolyn Webster-Stratton)
  • Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism, ADHD
    • The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and coping with Sensory Processing Disorder (Carol Stock Kranowitz)
    • The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (and their parents) (Elizabeth Verdick)
    • Autism: How to raise a happy autistic child (Jessie Hewitson)
    • Sensory Integration education

Helpful links

Children’s Therapies Team “The Pod”

Welcome to The Pod! Here you will find films, resources and links that can help your child achieve their therapy goals.

We support children and young people to develop their skills to their full potential, so they can participate in everyday activities. We work in partnership with you, your child and any other important people in their life.

The Pod has been developed by the Integrated Children’s Therapies teams, provided by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust. Services cover Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech & Language Therapy and Care Coordination.

Further details and self referral forms here.

Citizens Advice Bureau

People come to us with all sorts of issues. You may have money, benefit, housing or employment problems. You may be facing a crisis, or just considering your options. Click here

Citizens Advice Swale
Faversham: 0344 848 7978
Sittingbourne: Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3HT 0344 848 7978

Other helpful services:

  • The Pension Service (Government service) 0800 731 7898
  • The Money and Pensions Service (Independent advice service) 0800 011 3797
  • Attendance Allowance 0345 605 6055
  • Carers’ Allowance
  • PIP (Personal Independence Payment) 0800 917 2222
  • CROP (Citizen’s Rights for Older People) 01622 851200
    • Based in Lenham near Maidstone but have volunteers covering most of Kent. They can help you with form filling and general Information. (May have limited Capacity)
    • Website:  livewellkent.org.uk

Benefits Calculators

Continence Service

Run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Nurse and physiotherapy service providing clinical advice, support and information to patients and healthcare professionals/carers on continence and how to treat and manage symptoms of bladder and bowel dysfunction, including incontinence. See your GP for a referral.

Counselling Services (Talking Therapies)

Able to help with the following conditions for people aged 17 and over:

  • Anxiety Disorder or feeling anxious, stressed or panicky
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Depression or feeling low
  • Problems with low self-esteem
  • Phobias, including social anxiety
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Coping with a traumatic life event
  • Anger management
  • Other mental health issues

Self-referral using details below. These are free for patients to access a limited number of sessions:

Useful Numbers:

COVID Symptoms-Long COVID

Supporting your recovery after COVID-19

As you find yourself recovering from COVID-19 you may still be coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both your body and mind.

These changes should get better over time, some may take longer than others, but there are things you can do to help.

This NHS long-term COVID page helps you to understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery.

If you have breathing difficulties after COVID-19 infection, please see this link from Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation.

Dementia support

In Kent there are local organisations that offer support, advice and guidance if you have dementia or if you care for someone who has dementia. There is also a 24-hour dementia helpline (or call 0800 500 3014) offering emotional support for people with dementia and their carers in Kent and Medway.

Further information on this KCC webpage link.

Dementia Drop in clinic in Faversham

  • Last thursday of every month
  • 3-5pm Age UK Faversham, 2 Middle Row, Faversham, ME13 7AJ
  • Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with dementia and would like some support or advice over a cuppa?
  • Canterbury Mental Health Team and Age UK are hosting this new service for Faversham carers and people with a diagnosis of dementia.
  • Private consultation room are available
  • Who is available to meet with you?
    • Memory Service Doctor
    • Memory Service Nurse
    • Solicitor
    • Community Warden
    • Health and Social Care Co-ordinator
    • Age UK
    • Alzheimer’s Society
    • Carers support
    • Crossroads
  • For more information, please contact Age UK Faversham 01795 532766
Dentist

GPs do not treat dental issues. Please see your dentist if you are having any dental issues.

There are several dentists locally. In alphabetical order:

  • Faversham Dental Practice. 83a Preston Street. 01795 532897
  • Hilton Dentistry. Stone Street. 01795 591899
  • mydentist. Jubilee Way. 01795 535640
  • Not registered with a NHS dentist. Ring NHS 111 or visit NHS Choices.
  • You can also call the Dental helpine on 0300 1234412

For emergency dental service when your usual dentist is closed, contact 111 or Kent Dentaline on 01634 890300

  • Treatment for patients who develop severe dental problems when dental surgeries are closed.
  • At DentaLine, treatment is limited to pain relief and temporary dressings. Following your appointment with DentaLine, you should book an appointment with your own dentist to complete your treatment.
  • NHS charges apply, unless you are exempt. Proof of exemption must be shown at time of treatment. Payment must be made before seeing the dentist.
  • Clinics are held at a variety of locations and times. Attendance is by appointment only.
  • To find out more and to ask about making an appointment please contact
    • 01634 890300 at the below times:
    • Monday to Friday: 6.00pm – 11.00pm
    • Saturday and Sunday: 8.30am – 1.30pm and 6.00pm – 11.00pm
    • Bank Holidays: 8.30am – 1.30pm and 6.00pm – 11.00pm

If you have special needs, you can also contact the Community Dental Service. This is for:

  • children with extensive untreated tooth decay who are particularly anxious or uncooperative
  • children with physical or learning disabilities or medical conditions
  • children referred for specific treatment
  • children who are “looked after” or on the “at risk register”
  • adults with complex needs who have a proven difficulty in accessing or accepting care in general dental services, including adults with moderate and severe learning and physical disabilities or mental health problems
  • adults with medical conditions who need additional dental care
  • housebound and homeless people

To find out more about the community dental care available in your area, contact NHS England on 0300 311 2233

Diabetes

The NHS has produced some comprehensive advice for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetic retinopathy eye screening

  • There is a new Kent & Medway Diabetic Eye Screening Programme which is now run by Health Intelligence.
  • For futher infomation on their website, click here. 01233 880000

Diabetes Education

  • Spirit Hub has been commissioned locally to run Diabetes Education courses in Kent and Medway area.
  • This is for both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
  • For further information on their website, click here.
District Nursing Team

The District Nursing team is only able to see patients who are bedbound or housebound and who need nursing care. They can also carry out procedures including giving medicines, taking blood, changing dressings, and ear syringing. They also provide end of life care. Access is via the Canterbury Local Referral Unit (LRU)

0300 123 4415

Domestic Violence

Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS)

Call 0808 168 9111 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Support can be accessed by contacting Victim Support for assessment and referral to your local service via 0808 168 9111, using SignLive or the Live Chat facility.

Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) offers person-centred support to victims (16+) in Kent. This service includes:

  • Support within safe refuge accommodation
  • Specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) support
  • Community Outreach Services
  • Therapeutic and group programmes (e.g. Freedom or Phoenix Programme)
  • Emergency welfare assistance for clients in crisis (food, energy, travel)

This service can also support access to Sanctuary provision (adaptations to make the home safer) and support for children and young people residing in safe accommodation.

SATEDA (Swale Action to End Domestic Violence)

01795 417251 or click here

SATEDA’s vision is to end domestic abuse. Our mission is to enable people to end the cycle of domestic abuse and rebuild their lives, through education, support and advocacy. We provide a full journey of support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, enabling them to take back control and break free from domestic abuse.

Please note that we are not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

Need help?

If you are in an abusive relationship, are worried about your relationship or want to access any of SATEDA’s services, give us a call, or come to one of the Drop In services listed below. You don’t need an appointment and you will always receive a warm welcome and a listening ear.

What will happen when I visit?

No matter how you first get in touch with us, you will first have a chat with one of SATEDA’s experienced team members. You will be asked to share your story with one of our team, who will also do a risk assessment with you to help decide what support you need. We promise to believe you, to never judge you and to keep things confidential. Depending on your situation and what you would like to do, we will offer you access to the various types of support that SATEDA provides, as well as sign posting or referring to other agencies that could help you. We will also create a safety plan for you to help you stay safe.

Asking for help is an incredibly brave thing to do and is the first step on your journey towards freedom. SATEDA will commit to being with you on the rest of your journey for as long as you need us to be, but we will never force you to continue or make you accept our help and support.

Drop in services

  • Bysing Wood Children’s Centre-Lower Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7NU
    • Second and fourth Thursday of the month 12pm-2pm
  • West Faversham Community Centre-Bysing Wood Rd, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7RH
    • Every Thursday 9.30am-11am
  • Sittingbourne Library-Central Ave, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4AH
    • Second and fourth Tuesday of the month 10am-11.30am.

Rising Sun (Domestic Violence & Abuse Service)

Helpline 01227 452 852 (9am-5pm every day, 5pm-10pm on Fridays) or website

Free information, advice and support for people experiencing doestic abuse. No appointment needed.

Every Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm. Prince of Wales Youth Club, Military Road, Canterbury, CT1 1YX

If you require additional support

  • 24hr Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline 0808 2000 247

Mankind

Domestic abuse is an increasingly common problem across all genders and male victims can often find it difficult to speak about or access support.

Mankind is a support and signposting service for men suffering from domestic abuse from their current or former wife, partner (including same-sex partner) or husband.

01823 334244

Early Pregnancy Unit

If you are in the early stages of pregnancy (positive home pregnancy test under 16 weeks gestation) and have vaginal bleeding or mild pain, you can directly contact the Early Pregnancy Units for advice and assessment.

  • Early Pregnancy Unit (QEQM)
    • Monday to Friday 8am to 3.30pm; Saturday 8am to 2pm
    • Telephone: 01843 234469
  • Early Pregnancy Unit (Kent and Canterbury)
    • Monday to Friday 8am to 1pm
    • Telephone: 01227 864369
  • Early Pregnancy Unit (WHH)
    • Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm; Sunday 7am to 1pm
    • Telephone: 01233 633331 ext 723 8268
Eating Disorders
  • The All Age Eating Disorder Service for Kent and Medway is a specialist service. Our service aims to bring hope and confidence, through help and support, to those who have an eating disorder, to enable them to take back control of their life by overcoming their eating disorder.
  • Eating disorders involve disturbances in eating behaviour, such as extreme and unhealthy restriction of food intake and/or severe overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape and /or weight. Such disturbances can put physical health and functioning at risk. Eating disorders can be triggered by a variety of causes such as genetics, psychological and/or social influences. More often they are a way of coping with difficult thoughts, emotions or experiences.
  • Commonly, people with eating disorders feel that controlling their eating habits is the only way they can maintain control of their life, when in fact the eating disorder begins to control them.

Further details are here. Minimum age for referrals is 8 years.

Patients can self-refer on 0300 300 1980 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Emergency Contraception

Service provision commissioned by KCC

If you’ve had unprotected sex and are worried you may get pregnant, you have 2 choices of emergency contraception:

  • Morning after pill
    • The morning after pill can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex but is most effective if you take it as soon as possible. Find out where to get the morning after pill from a pharmacist or clinic near you by clicking here(if you are under 30yrs old some clinics offer free contraception). You can also book to see your GP or attend Faversham MIU when your GP surgery is closed.
  • The Coil
    • The coil can be used as emergency contraception but needs to be inserted within 5 days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. To have a coil fitted, book an appointment to visit one of these clinics.

If you’re too late for emergency contraception

Faversham Children’s Centres

Children’s Centres are a ‘one-stop shop’ for children under 5 and their families/carers.

The Faversham Children’s Centres at St Mary’s and Bysing Wood work together to deliver a range of services in Faversham for children under 5 and their families covering childcare, health, family and support services in a supportive, understanding and positive environment.

The Centre’s are open to all parents, carers and children and many of the services are free.

Each centre offers different services, including:

  • Support with breast feeding.
  • Support with parenting and speech and language.
  • Drop-in play sessions for parents and children, such as;
    • Activity roundabout
    • Under one’s group
    • Play and stay groups
  • Special events during the Summer and Christmas holidays;
    • Childminders groups
    • Bi-lingual group for parents and their children
  • Antenatal classes
  • Baby clinics

Health visitors, midwives, and other agencies work from the centres.

Starting week of 29th May 2018, there is a new baby hub at the St Mary’s Children centre every Thursday 1-3pm

  • This hub will offer families the opportunity to have contact with the health visiting team and receive advice and support on topics such as infant feeding, behaviour, healthy weights and sleep.
  • In addition to that we will be providing a breastfeeding drop in’s every week.
  • We will also be delivering parenting programmes which will cover: infant wellbeing, managing minor illness and reducing accidents, learning through play and introducing solid foods.

St Mary’s Children’s Centre
Orchard Place
Faversham
ME13 8AP
Tel: 03000 411033
Email: [email protected]

Location map

Bysing Wood Children’s Centre
Lower Road
Faversham
ME13 7NU (for your sat nav enter – ME13 7NY)
Tel: 03000 417740
Email: [email protected]

Location map

Faversham Community Groups and Support Services

Lots of information about local Community Groups here.

Lots of local Support services can also be found here

Food Bank
  • We are based in the Gospel Mission on Tanners Street and are open evening Wednesday and Friday from 1.30 to 4pm.
  • Our website is here or else you can contact us on 07938 720 604 (answerphone)
  • People who are in food need should get a voucher (bright red) from one of the various agencies in town (Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Age UK. Most of the local Primary Schools and churches) and bring it to us.
  • The voucher will tell us some details of the individuals in the family unit (or a single individual of course) which will give us name and address and the numbers and rough ages of the people involved.
  • Please note that we treat confidentiality extremely seriously and all staff have signed agreements.
  • We will then run through a list of preferences and food needs with the client and put together a package in bags.
  • We can also offer toiletries and cleaning products and we also try and keep some pet food in stock.
  • We can look after people who are rough sleeping.
  • The volunteers also offer a hot drink and biscuits and we chat about the problems that have led to the need to occur.
  • Where possible we try to signpost people to agencies who can offer more practical help with issues such as debt, benefit problems etc.

Food Friends

  • Food Friends is a registered charity working hard to bring our community together through food and friendship. We run a meal sharing initiative that connects volunteers who would love to deliver an extra portion of their home cooked food, as and when they can, to a neighbour who would enjoy this along with a friendly chat.  If you would like a home cooked meal, delivered with kindness and care, please contact us on [email protected] / 01227 250 410 and have a chat with one of our friendly team. Our meal sharing is free of charge and all of our volunteers are DBS and reference checked.
  • Details here

Cost of Living

  • Helpful Cost of Living Help from Faversham Town Council for local help with the cost of living crisis.
GP Practice

The practice is open 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday (closed weekends and Bank Holidays). Please go to the GP reception desk at the Faversham Health Centre.

01795 905577

Health Care Assistant

Phone the surgery to book to see your Health Care Assistant.

01795 905577

Health Walks

Health Walk Booklets are out now, detailing all the One You Health Walks within East Kent.

To compliment existing One You Weight Loss, Smokefree and Lifestyle services, Health Walks are short, local walks designed to help anyone to get active, get outdoors and meet new people. Led by friendly volunteers, Health Walks are especially good for people who are recovering from illness, or who just need a bit of extra motivation to take more exercise. Walks usually take from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, and leave from central locations such as your local library or community centre. There’s no need to book, just turn up and join in!

Why walk?

  • Reduce your risk of getting heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Reduce stress.
  • Meet new people.
  • Lower your blood pressure.
  • It’s free!

We have Health Walks in Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Sittingbourne, Sheppey, Dover, Deal, Folkestone, Hythe, Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs and New Romney and villages.

In the last year, 3,052 walkers have carried out 3,213 walks with 45,654 attendees.

So why not come along and join in or refer someone.

For further information and resources

Call: 0300 123 1220 (Option 2)

Email: [email protected]

Visit: www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/one-you-kent/health-walks (Booklets can be found via this link under Downloads)

Health Visiting Service

Run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

We support families with a new baby or a child aged under five-years-old. We help you and your family to be healthy; both emotionally and physically. Working together with you, we can provide advice, support and confidential health advice.

We can advise on:

  • your child’s growth and development
  • immunisations
  • common infections in childhood
  • common skin problems
  • behaviour difficulties, such as sleeping, eating, potty training, temper tantrums and teething
  • breastfeeding, weaning, healthy eating, hygiene, safety and exercise
  • post-natal depression, bereavement and violence in the family.

We also:

  • work in partnership with families to tailor whole family health plans  to your needs
  • organise and run baby clinics
  • get involved with health promotion groups, breast feeding support groups, parent support groups and parenting course
  • work closely with GPs, midwives, children’s centres and some voluntary groups
  • work with communities to identify any needs in your local area, which health visitors may be able to support.

0300 1234 014 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday)

ICON

Are you struggling with your baby crying? Speak to your Midwife of Health Visitor about ICON.

ICON leaflet

Hospitals

Kent & Canterbury Hospital (no A&E department)-01227 766877

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

Kent

CT1 3NG

William Harvey Hospital-01233 633331

Kennington Road

Willesborough

Ashford

Kent

TN24 0LZ

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital-01843 225544

St Peters Road

Margate

Kent

CT9 4AN

Medway Maritime Hospital-01634 830000

Windmill Road

Gillingham

Kent

ME7 5NY

Insomnia (Sleep Issues)

Sleepio is a six-week clinically proven programme used to treat insomnia, available free on the NHS.

Life threatening conditions

Call 999

Lifestyle Advisors-One You

One You Lifestyle Advisors- formally known as Health Trainers.

  • We offer free, confidential one-to-one support to help patients make positive lifestyle changes. We work in the most deprived areas of Kent to reduce health inequalities.
  • We offer up to six free sessions of support, encouragement and practical assistance in local venues.
  • We work with our clients to establish what changes they want to make, to develop a personalised behaviour change plan and to provide support and encouragement to enable them to achieve their goals.
  • Issues we can help with include:
    • accessing local services
    • physical activity
    • healthy eating
    • healthy weight
    • stopping smoking
    • alcohol/drugs concerns
    • reducing stress
    • sexual health concerns.
  • Referral criteria
    • Health Trainers work mainly with clients aged 18-65, though we will accept referrals for over 65s if they would benefit from our service.
    • We cannot accept referrals for patients who have unstable mental health conditions or who are not compliant with their medication regime.
    • Please see your GP or speak to the receptionist to book in to see Mark who is available every Friday
Mental Health

Release the Pressure – 24hr helpline call 0800 107 0160

Text support – 24 hr mental health crisis support Text “Kent” to 85258

There is also this Handy Guide to Primary Care Mental Health Services Primary Care Service Directory

ServiceSupportContact
Adult Urgent Mental health support-Kent & Medway24 hour helpline for urgent mental health support, advice and guidance. Provided by Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT).0800 783 9111
Under 18’s Mental Health support-Kent & MedwayProvides emotional wellbeing and mental health advice and support for young people and their families across Kent. Call the 24 hour single point of access number.0300 123 4496
(select option one, then option three)
NHS Talking Therapy (IAPT)-East Kent OnlyTalking therapy services offer time-limited, evidence-based psychological therapies. All services offer treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), stress management and sometimes group work. Psychological therapies can help with anxiety, depression, Stress, trauma, Phobias and other related problems. All services are operating remotely via telephone and online appointments. Therapeutic appointments are available weekdays and evenings and some weekend appointments are available. NHS England have provided evidence that online treatment is as effective as face to face and patient experience is reported as high satisfaction.Kent and Medway Talking Therapies

0333 091 0414

Text ‘KMTALK’ to 88802
Canterbury Safe Haven-Kent & MedwayThe Kent and Medway Safe Havens are there to support your mental health 365 days of the year. If you are struggling and need to speak to someone you can just drop in. Available 6pm – 11pm 365 days per year for anyone 16+. Drop in, no appointment is needed.Canterbury Safe Haven:
22-23 North Lane
Canterbury,
CT2 7EE. 
[email protected]
07876 476 703
07483 163 953
(general enquiries 6pm-11pm)
Live Well Kent-Kent & MedwayLive Well Kent can help you improve your mental and physical health and wellbeing. They can help with keeping active and healthy, meeting people, everyday living, managing your money, including debt and benefits, housing support and guidance, training and work. For anyone over 17.0800 567 7699

Email
[email protected]

or contact via the website
Take Off Peer Support-East KentPeer support groups for anyone struggling with mental health issues – Operating remote groups or 1 to1’s available. Please call for more
information.		01227 788211
Kent Together-KentIf you have money worries or are looking for ways you can make your money go further, we can help you to find your way through to the advice and support available. Kent Together website
Carers Support-East KentPhone support for Carers01304 364 637
SUN (Service User Network)-Kent and MedwaySUN is a new open access peer-led supportive service running groups county wide for individuals struggling with difficulties associated with Complex Emotional Difficulties (or personality disorder).

 
SUN is not a therapy group or standalone treatment, it empowers it’s members to manage their difficulties. It can be attended alongside any other treatment.		SUN membership is through self-referral.
This involves completing a short registration form along with a questionnaire.

Website

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01622 926802
(answerphone only)
  • “Tricky Friends”-Is an online video produced by Kent & Medway Safeguarding Team which aims to share a message around exploitation/abuse/mate crime.
Midwife

Run by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

If you are newly pregnant, you can register to see the midwife online by clicking this link. You do not need to see your GP to book to see a midwife, but it would be helpful to let us know that you are pregnant.

If you need to contact your midwife, please ring the number given by your midwife, which should be in your maternity pack.

Maternity Community Liaison Office

01227 864152

Mobility Aids

Run by Kent County Council who help to provide services to the NHS.

Kent County Council recommend Safe and Well as a service provided by NRS Healthcare which enables you to find out about getting equipment if you’re not eligible for social care.

NHS 111

NHS 111 is available for all general advice and medical queries.

Call 111

Older Drivers

Driving a car is an important part of personal, family and work life for millions of us, providing freedom and independence to get about as and when we need to. Driving can be enjoyable and pleasant, but it also involves a certain amount of risk, and can be stressful.

Experienced drivers are, in general, safer than those with less experience. But as we get older, our health and fitness, often including our eyesight, physical condition and reaction times, begins to decline. Age related conditions can also begin to affect our driving. Of course, this is different for each person; there isn’t an age at which we automatically become unsafe to drive.

Many drivers recognise that their driving ability is changing and so change when and where they drive (this is often called ‘self-regulation’). There are also several simple things we can do to help us continue to drive, safely, for as long as possible, such as taking regular driving assessments and refresher training. 

However, there comes a time when each of us need to reduce our driving, or even stop altogether. Taking advice from your doctor, or another health professional, and from family or friends can be very helpful.

This website will help you to:

  • Recognise whether and how your driving is changing
  • Decide what you can do to cope with these changes and find help, such as medical advice, driving assessments and training and vehicle adaptations
  • Find a driving assessment or refresher training for your needs
  • Understand your legal obligations, such as DVLA rules and procedures
  • Plan for the need to change when and where you drive, and if it becomes necessary, to retire from driving.

Click here for further information and advice.

Optician

There are several opticians in town. In alphabetical order:

  • John High Opticians. 8 Market Street. 01795 532803
  • Optima Opticians. Jacob Yard, 4 Preston Street. 01795 531885
  • Specsavers Optician. 1 Preston Street. 01795 538319
FMP Eye Services

Did you know that we provide Eye Services for –

  • Cataract Surgery
  • Minor Eye Conditions (MECS)
  • WET Age Related Macular Degeneration – WAMD
  • General Ophthalmology Clinics

Please speak to your GP or Optician for a referral

Parkrun

Faversham Medical Practice are proud to be a Parkrun Practice in association with Sittingbourne Parkrun.

  • Why not improve your health and fitness by taking part in a free 5k walk, jog or run?
  • All ages and abilities welcome and yes you can walk, jog or run-the choice is yours.
  • Bring the buggy or the dog, come with friends or come alone-everything goes.
  • If you would rather you can volunteer to help with the event-it is every Saturday morning at 9am.

See here for more information about Parkrun and to register. Click here to find out about the Sittingbourne Parkrun.

Patient Transport

Run by G4S

  • Patient Transport is a service provided by G4S.
  • It is designed to support you if your medical or physical condition means you cannot use public transport, get a lift, or drive yourself to, and from, your NHS appointment.
  • There are eligibility criteria to qualify for NHS-funded transport.
  • For patient who do not meet the eligibilty criteria, the transport provider (G4S) will signpost them to available voluntary transport options
  • Some patients are eligible for reimbursement under the patient travel scheme (Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme-HTCS)
  • Kent County Council has a link for Voluntary transport services (Community Transport)
  • The British Red Cross also offer free transport from East Kent Hospitals and patient can self refer on 07711082504.

0800 096 0211

Patient Experience Team

This is a service run for the local hospital trust-Kent & Canterbury Hospital, William Harvey Hospital and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital.

“We are committed to improving services by listening to patients, their families and carers.

Our aim is to offer a compassionate and efficient service to all our patients and visitors and if we have let you down, we are truly sorry.

Please let us know what has gone right, wrong or is a concern so that we might try to put it right or to explain what happened and why. You have our absolute assurance that we will not penalise you (or the patient) in any way or treat you differently as a result of a complaint being made. Feedback helps us to improve our services leading to positive experiences for our patients and their relatives or carers.

You are welcome to come to one of our offices in person, they are usually manned from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, or telephone us at any time. We have a messaging service available and we will call you back within 48 hours.

Unfortunately we are not available at the weekend, however a 24hr messaging service is in operation and a member of staff will call you back on Monday (unless a Bank Holiday).”

01227 783145 or 01227 864314

[email protected]

The team now also run a new service providing information for patients who are waiting for surgery at East Kent Hospitals. Details are on the Hospital Trust’s website.

Perinatal Mental Health Community Service (PMHCS)
  • Provides ongoing support for women with moderate to severe mental health difficulties from birth to 24 months after birth.
  • Self-refer as below

01622 722321

Website

[email protected]

Pharmacy

Paydens (formally Carlisles)

14 Cross Lane,
Faversham,
Kent ME13 8PN

01795 532784

Monday8.30am – 6.30pm
Tuesday8.30am – 6.30pm
Wednesday8.30am – 6.30pm
Thursday8.30am – 6.30pm
Friday8.30am – 6.30pm
Saturday8.45am – 12.45pm
SundayClosed

Boots Pharmacy

82-83 Preston St,
Faversham,
Kent, ME13 8NU

01795 532173

Monday9.00am – 5.30pm
Tuesday9.00am – 5.30pm
Wednesday9.00am – 5.30pm
Thursday9.00am – 5.30pm
Friday9.00am – 5.30pm
Saturday9.00am – 5.30pm
SundayClosed

Tesco Pharmacy

Crescent Rd,
Faversham,
Kent, ME13 7AS

0345 6779268

Monday8.00am – 10.30pm
Tuesday6.30am – 10.30pm
Wednesday6.30am – 10.30pm
Thursday6.30am – 10.30pm
Friday6.30am – 10.30pm
Saturday6.30am – 10.00pm
Sunday10.00am – 4.00pm

Newton Place Pharmacy 

Newton Place Surgery,
Newton Road,
Faversham,
Kent, ME13 8FH

01795 597509

Monday7.00am – 10.30pm
Tuesday7.00am – 10.30pm
Wednesday7.00am – 10.30pm
Thursday7.00am – 10.30pm
Friday7.00am – 10.30pm
Saturday7.00am – 10.30pm
Sunday10.00am – 5.00pm
Physiotherapy

For NHS physiotherapy, please make an appointment to see your GP.

For Private physiotherapy. In alphabetical order:

  • Bluebell Faversham Physio. Abbey Place Clinic, 5 The Chapel, Abbey Place. 01634 757123
  • Kesson Physiotherapy. First Floor, 2 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8GD 01795 534113

You can also find some NHS videos on Fitness Studio exercises here

Podiatry

Run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

The service can only accept referrals for adults and children with podiatric problems who have complex medical conditions which put the lower limb at higher risk of complications.

Patients need to meet the following criteria:

  • ulceration and or acute infection of the foot
  • high risk patients with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, neurological conditions and/or circulatory problems who are at risk of developing ulceration
  • minor surgery for ingrowing toe nails and electrosurgery
  • lower limb musculoskeletal conditions for example plantar fasciitis, heel pain, tendonopathies.

The service only accept referrals from Health care professionals.

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust also provide a fee-paying service so that people can have their toenails cut.

“Our trained and helpful staff can be found at clinics around Kent, so there is bound to be one near you.

Sessions cost £23 which includes the cost of sterilised instruments as well as any consumables. We are no longer using patient held instruments following a review of the service.

This service is cost-effective for anyone who is not entitled to routine care through the NHS framework.”

For more information about clinics in your area and to book an appointment phone 0300 123 1554 between 9am to 4pm or email [email protected].

There are also private podiatry services. In alphabetical order:

  • Abbey Place Clinic. 5 The Chapel, Abbey Place. 01795 538480
  • Age UK. 2 Middle Row. 01795 532766/477520
  • Gatefield Clinic. 9 Gatefield Lane. 01795 591337
  • The Foot Clinic. 107 St Mary’s Road. 01795 591232
Practice Nurse

Phone the surgery to book to see your Practice Nurse for advice.

01795 905577

Prostate cancer & PSA testing

Symptoms of prostate cancer

Symptoms of prostate cancer do not usually appear until the prostate is large enough to affect the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis (urethra).

When this happens, you may notice things like:

  • an increased need to pee
  • straining while you pee
  • a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied

These symptoms should not be ignored, but they do not mean you have prostate cancer. It’s more likely they’re caused by something else, such as prostate enlargement.

Read more about symptoms of prostate cancer.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis, found only in men. About the size of a satsuma, it’s located between the penis and the bladder, and surrounds the urethra.

The main function of the prostate is to produce a thick white fluid that creates semen when mixed with the sperm produced by the testicles.

Why does prostate cancer happen?

The causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown. However, certain things can increase your risk of developing the condition.

The chances of developing prostate cancer increase as you get older. Most cases develop in men aged 50 or older.

For reasons not yet understood, prostate cancer is more common in men of African-Caribbean or African descent, and less common in Asian men.

Men whose father or brother were affected by prostate cancer are at slightly increased risk themselves.

Recent research also suggests that obesity increases the risk of prostate cancer.

Read more about what causes an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Tests for prostate cancer

There is no single test for prostate cancer. All the tests used to help diagnose the condition have benefits and risks that your doctor should discuss with you.

The most commonly used tests for prostate cancer are:

Read more about how prostate cancer is diagnosed.

PSA testing

The blood test, called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, measures the level of PSA and may help detect early prostate cancer.

Men are not routinely offered PSA tests to screen for prostate cancer, as results can be unreliable. Men over 50 can ask for a PSA test from their GP.

This is because the PSA blood test is not specific to prostate cancer. Your PSA level can also be raised by other, non-cancerous conditions. Raised PSA levels also can’t tell a doctor whether a man has life-threatening prostate cancer or not.

If you have a raised PSA level, you may be offered an MRI scan of the prostate to help doctors decide if you need further tests and treatment.

Read more about:

How is prostate cancer treated?

For many men with prostate cancer, treatment is not immediately necessary.

If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, your doctor may suggest either “watchful waiting” or “active surveillance”. The best option depends on your age and overall health. Both options involve carefully monitoring your condition.

Some cases of prostate cancer can be cured if treated in the early stages. Treatments include:

  • surgically removing the prostate
  • radiotherapy – either on its own or alongside hormone therapy

Some cases are only diagnosed at a later stage, when the cancer has spread. If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body and can’t be cured, then treatment is focused on prolonging life and relieving symptoms.

All treatment options carry the risk of significant side effects, including erectile dysfunction and urinary symptoms, such as needing to use the toilet more urgently or more often.

For this reason, some men choose to delay treatment until there’s a risk the cancer might spread.

Newer treatments, such as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and cryotherapy, aim to reduce these side effects.

Some hospitals may offer them as an alternative to surgery, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. However, the long-term effectiveness of these treatments is not known yet.

Read more about treating prostate cancer.

Living with prostate cancer

As prostate cancer usually progresses very slowly, you can live for decades without symptoms or needing treatment.

Nevertheless, it can affect your life. As well as the possible side effects of treatment, a diagnosis of prostate cancer can understandably make you feel anxious or depressed.

You may find it beneficial to talk about the condition with your family, friends, a family doctor and other men with prostate cancer.

Financial support is also available if prostate cancer reduces your ability to work.

Read more about living with prostate cancer.

Referred to see a specialist? What happens next.

See this leaflet detailing what happens when you are referred to see a specialist, and what you should expect at the appointment.

Safeguarding

Run by Kent County Council

Tell us as much as you can

  • The more information you can give us about what’s happening and where it’s happening, the better. We encourage you to give your name, but we won’t tell anyone else you called unless you give us permission to do so. We take every report of abuse seriously and investigate all of them.
  • Abuse is a breach of someone’s rights, and may be a single act or happen repeatedly over a period of time. Abuse may be deliberate, but may also be caused by neglect or ignorance. It can happen anywhere, including your home, your child’s school, a residential or nursing home, at hospital, or in a public place. In many cases, abuse is a criminal offence.
  • Don’t assume that someone else will take responsibility. You could help to save someone’s life. If you are worried, report it.
  • Staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk to you about your worries

During the day and in office hours

Out of hours and in an emergency

  • If you need to contact us outside of normal office hours, for example during the night, call 03000 41 91 91.

If you think someone is in immediate danger, the best thing to do is call 999 for the emergency services.

School Health

Run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Primary school-age

We provide support for a variety of health issues and will refer to specialist services, when needed. These include advice, support and help for:

  • daytime and night time wetting and soiling
  • behaviour management
  • healthy eating and lifestyle
  • emotional health and wellbeing
  • puberty and growing up
  • sexual health
  • stopping smoking
  • drug and alcohol misuse
  • sleep
  • complex health needs.

Our teams offer a range of drop-in clinics in schools, children’s centre and other community venues for advice and information.

Secondary school-age

Our Adolescent Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service offers health assessments, as well as a range of support for physical and mental health, plus referral to specialist services when needed.

We provide support for:

  • daytime and night time wetting and soiling
  • behaviour
  • bullying
  • bereavement
  • healthy eating and lifestyle
  • emotional health and wellbeing, such as anxiety, stress, depression, self-harm and anger management
  • puberty and growing up
  • sexual health
  • stopping smoking
  • drug and alcohol misuse
  • sleep
  • complex health needs.

Our School Health Team offers a range of drop-in clinics in schools, colleges and youth hubs providing information and advice to support young people.

Support for schools

We offer support for schools to develop a whole-school approach to improve the health of their pupils.

If you are a school, visit our Support for Schools section.

How to access service

This service is for children and young people who are school-age, between ages of four and nineteen. You do not need to be in mainstream education to seek our support. If you are home-schooled or in a pupil referral unit, you can still use our service.

We take referrals directly from:

  • children and young people
  • parents or carers
  • schools, colleges and high education institutes
  • other health care professionals or partner organisations
  • voluntary agencies.

0300 123 4496

[email protected]
Online referral form

Self-care

Many conditions can be managed yourself. There is a great index of conditions and treatments on the NHS Health Choices webpage or else you can find further information on our eConsult page. A selection of the most common conditions are below.

It is useful to have a Home Medicine Cabinet as minor illness, minor injuries or aches and pains are very common and having such items to hand can help with immediate self-care. Your local pharmacy can also give advice and information on over the counter medicines. Always follow dosage directions and store medicines away from children. Seek further advice if symptoms worsen or persist. For further advice see under Pharmacy or or NHS 111.

If you have children under 18, this is also a good link for general health matters

Back pain
NHS Choices		Cold sores
NHS Choices
Chicken Pox
NHS Choices		Common Cold
NHS Choices
Conjunctivitis
NHS Choices		Constipation
NHS Choices
Cough/Catarrah
NHS Choices		Dandruff
NHS Choices
Diarrhoea
NHS Choices		Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods)
NHS Choices
Earache
NHS Choices		Haemorrhoids
NHS Choices  
Hayfever
NHS Choices		Head lice
NHS Choices
Headache
NHS Choices		Heartburn & Indigestion
NHS Choices
Influenza
NHS Choices		Insect bites
NHS Choices
Leg Cramps
NHS Choices		Migraine
NHS Choices
Nasal congestion
NHS Choices		Nappy rash
NHS Choices
Sore throat
NHS Choices 		Sinusitis
NHS Choices
Sprains and strains
NHS Choices		Thrush
NHS Choices
Warts and Verrucas
NHS Choices
Sexual Health Clinics

Run by Kent County Council

Our clinics offer a free and confidential service to everyone, regardless of your age, gender or sexual orientation. We won’t judge or lecture you, we’ve seen it all before.

You can get a home testing kit without having to visit a clinic.

We can help with:

Unless stated, all of our clinics offer a walk-in service. Where walk-ins are not available:

  • book for clinics in North and East Kent by calling 0300 790 0245

The trained team will ask you the reason why you need to be seen in order to book you an appropriate appointment. This will help to ensure that you receive the correct service. All information is handled sensitively and in confidence.

Get It Metro Sexual Health is a service for young people aged 13-24 living, working, socialising, or studying in Kent. Young people can access the scheme online or in-person in dedicated registration sites. “Get it” enables young people to gain access to free condoms and lubrication by registering to the scheme. The registration process provides an opportunity for young people to learn about sex and the law, contraception, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the local services available to them.

Social help

Run by Kent County Council

Children 0-18yrs

Help is available for 0-18 year olds with:

  • severe and profound learning disabilities
  • physical and sensory disabilities
  • a combination of disabilities.

Contact

Adults 18yrs and over

They will do a needs assessment, which means they will talk to you about your situation and find out what changes you would like to make in your life. This can be done in person or by telephone.

Contact

Stop smoking services

Run by Kent County Council

Text “QUIT” to 60163 for OneYou Kent smokefree service

The local pharmacies all run stop smoking services.

Please note that we no longer run in-house stop smoking clinics.

You can find other stop smoking services here

Transport Service-SVC

Run by Swale Volunteer Centre (SVC)

  • Swale Volunteer Centre runs a Volunteer Transport Scheme for local residents who would otherwise be unable to attend essential appointments such as doctor, dentist and hospital.
  • The scheme has been running for over 20 years with demand for the service growing year on year. There are currently 3,800 clients and a pool of 74 volunteer drivers who freely give up their time and support. For users of the service there is a small annual admin fee and a charge, payable directly to the driver, for each journey to help with petrol and vehicle running costs.
  • There may be a number of reasons why you may not be able to use public transport such as accessibility, times, mobility and costs. The Swale Volunteer Car Scheme is for you.

Costs and how it works

  • Available to all local residents who have difficulty in using public transport, there is a registration fee of £25 and thereafter an annual fee of £20 per person, payable to Swale Volunteer Centre to help cover administration costs. Journeys are charged at a rate of 45p per mile (with a minimum charge of £4.50) with an additional £1 admin charge per journey.
  • When booking a driver please notify us of any mobility aids to ensure we can accommodate these and the approximate length of time your appointment is likely to take.
  • Your driver will be happy to wait with you for a reasonable time (up to 2 hours).
  • All trips must be booked through our office to comply with our insurance cover.
  • Registration form here

Contact

Telephone: 01795 426647  Email: [email protected] 
This line is open Monday – Friday between 09:30 and 14:30

Or contact the East Kent VC transport line on: 0300 365 0045

Umbrella Centre-Faversham

The Faversham Umbrella Centre was set up 22 years ago to provide recreational activities. The ultimate goal is to support you to integrate back into the community, rather than feel isolated by mental illness.

The Puddles Café offers low cost light refreshments and opportunities to play table tennis, bingo, darts, Wii fit, and pool. There are a range of arts and crafts activities to do and basic IT support is available.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays 10am-3pm

Faversham Umbrella, Court Street, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7AT

Telephone: 01795 229143

Email: [email protected]

Facebook site here

Urgent Treatment Centre

Faversham Urgent Treatment Centre

Faversham Medical Centre,
Bank Street,
Faversham, Kent,
ME13 8QR

  • Faversham Urgent Treatment Centre is open 8am-8pm 7 days a week including Bank Holidays. It is open to all patients both in and out of Faversham.
  • We have an attached X-ray Unit which is open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday only. No need to phone to book as both MIU and X-ray are a walk-in service.
  • You can get help for any
    • Minor Injuries – cuts, wounds, grazes, eye and ear injuries, bites, abscesses, falls, burns, sprains, strains and foreign bodies.
    • Minor Illnesses – infections, rashes, emergency contraception (morning after pill), coughs and colds. Please note that we do not treat Dental infections-please contact your own Dentist or contact Dentaline via 111.

Kent & Canterbury Minor Injuries Unit

Kent & Canterbury Hospital,
Ethelbert Road,
Canterbury, Kent,
CT1 3NG

01227 864244

  • Kent and Canterbury Minor Injuries Unit is open 24hrs a day.
Weight – healthy weight services

Run by Kent County Council

There are a range of services available in Kent to help you maintain a healthy weight. These services are delivered by local providers on behalf of Kent County Council and you can contact them directly for help (please see link above) or call 0300 123 1220 for further information.

Please note that although the GP Practice is in Swale, we are part of the Canterbury and Coastal CCG, and not Swale CCG, so not all services are available to our registered patients.

X-Ray services

Patient can get their X-ray done at Faversham Health Centre

  • Open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday.
  • Patients needing a Chest X-ray can either walk in and wait, or can book an appointment via link below.
  • Patients needing any other form of X-ray (such as hip/knee/back/hand etc) will need to book their appointment in advance or else phone 01227 864249.
  • All X-rays are linked to the local hospital trust for viewing.

X-Ray services are also available at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, William Harvey Hospital and QEQM Hospital.