Dental Services
Dental Services
Everyone should be able to access good-quality NHS dental services. There is no need to register with a dentist in the same way as with a GP because you are not bound to a catchment area.
There is no need to register with a dentist in the same way as with a GP because you are not bound to a catchment area.
Simply find a dental practice that’s convenient for you, whether it’s near your home or work, and phone them to see if there are any appointments available.
Dental practices won’t always have the capacity to take on new NHS patients – you may have to join a waiting list, look for a different dentist who is taking on new NHS patients, or be seen privately.
You can find the most convenient dentist to you via NHS Choices.
If you think you need urgent dental care, try contacting your usual dentist as some practices offer emergency dental slots and will provide care if clinically necessary.
You can also call NHS 111, who can put you in touch with an urgent dental service.
Do not contact your GP, as they will not be able to offer urgent or emergency dental care.
Dentistry is one of the few NHS services where you have to pay a contribution towards the cost of your care. The information on this page explains what you may have to pay for your NHS dental treatment.
- Emergency dental treatment – £20.60
This covers emergency care in a primary care NHS dental practice such as pain relief or a temporary filling. - Band 1 course of treatment – £20.60
This covers an examination, diagnosis (including X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if clinically needed, and preventative care such as the application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant if appropriate. - Band 2 course of treatment – £56.30
This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or removal of teeth but not more complex items covered by Band 3. - Band 3 course of treatment – £244.30
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures, bridges and other laboratory work.
For more information about charges you can visit NHS Choices.
Substance Misuse
Substance Misuse
If you need help with substance misuse, whether it be drugs or alcohol there are local support services available.
Cheshire East provide an easy-access service to people in East Cheshire whose drug or alcohol use is a problem with the aim of promoting health and minimising harm to the individual, their families and the community.
Their integrated service is led by expert clinicians and knowledgeable staff who are committed to supporting people to make positive changes and progress toward improved health and well-being.
The service promotes recovery through early intervention and prevention for people of all-ages.
This specialist substance misuse service service has been commissioned by Cheshire East Council and is one service provided collaboratively with a range of partners. Our expert teams are from a variety of professional backgrounds to ensure that people who access our service have the benefit of wide-ranging knowledge and skills to meet their needs at various stages of their recovery.
You can find more information about the Substance Misuse Service on their website.
You can self refer to the substance misuse service by:
Telephone: 01270 656 301
Email: cwp.substancemisusecheshireeast@nhs.net
Cheshire East also offer a Young Persons Misuse Service for those under the age of 25.
You can read more about the service in this handy leaflet.
Falls Prevention
Falls Prevention
We know how important it is to remain mobile and independent but if you are aged 65 years and over and have either poor balance or mobility, Osteoporosis or have fallen in the past 12 months, there are local services available to help you.
If you live in Cheshire East, are aged 65 years and have either poor balance or mobility, Osteoporosis or have fallen in the past 12 months, this programme is for you.
Be Steady Be Safe is a 24-week programme consisting of balance re-training and strength exercise classes, prescribed home exercise and education, designed to keep you on your feet and independent.
Classes are held across the borough, on various days and times. On completing the 24 week programme, you’ll be able to carry on through attending regular moving-on classes and home exercises. Click here for details of classes.
You can view details of the classes available throughout the borough on the One You Website or you can call 0808 1643 202 for more information.
Drink Less
Drink Less
It’s one thing to enjoy a drink to unwind at the end of a long day.
But when that turns into two or three every night, you can end up drinking too much without even realising.
That can affect your body in all sorts of ways – putting on weight, disturbing your sleep and increasing your chances of developing high blood pressure, liver problems, heart attack and some types of cancer.
It’s easy to reduce those risks, with some help.
Current advice for men and women is to drink fewer than 14 units of alcohol a week and to spread drinking over 3 days or more if you do.
The One You Cheshire East Service has put together a whole host of tips and guidance, alongside community support services to help you keep your drinking under control
To access this free service you can:
Visit:The One You Website
Freephone: 0800 085 8818
Stop Smoking
Stop Smoking
Now is the right time to quit. Every cigarette causes you real harm and quitting smoking is healthier for you and your family.
Quit smoking and you’ll be amazed how quickly you see the benefits. You’ll breathe more easily, feel fitter, your skin will look better and your sense of taste will come back. If you have kids, you’ll be protecting them from the risk of asthma attacks, ear infections and cancers. You could be around £250 a month better off too – that’s £3000 a year. Just think what you could spend that on!
It can be hard to stop without support so local free services are available to help you quit for good.
Stopping Smoking is a really good idea. But we know it’s not easy to do. So at One You Cheshire East, they’ve got a wide range of support available to help you be smoke-free for good.
If you’re not sure where to start, One You can help you with a free Quit Kit, smartphone app and expert advice on the phone or online. They’ll guide you through the ways to curb your nicotine cravings too, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy, medicines and vaping – with some options available on prescription and one-to-one help at local pharmacies and other community settings.
And if you’re pregnant, have mental health problems or spending time in hospital (or work in one) there’s extra help available through the specialists at Kickstart.
To access this free service you can:
Visit:The One You Website
Freephone: 0800 085 8818
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are common injuries affecting the muscles and ligaments. Most can be treated at home without seeing a GP.
Its likely to be a sprain or strain if:
- you have pain, tenderness or weakness – often around your ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, knee, leg or back
- the injured area is swollen or bruised
- you can’t put weight on the injury or use it normally
you have muscle spasms or cramping – where your muscles painfully tighten on their own
For the first couple of days, follow the 4 steps known as RICE therapy to help bring down swelling and support the injury:
1.Rest– stop any exercise or activities and try not to put any weight on the injury.
2.Ice– apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel) to the injury for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
3.Compression– wrap a bandage around the injury to support it.
4. Elevate– keep it raised on a pillow as much as possible.
To help prevent swelling, try to avoid heat – such as hot baths and heat packs – alcohol and massages for the first couple of days.
When you can move the injured area without pain stopping you, try to keep moving it so the joint or muscle doesn’t become stiff.
After 2 weeks, most sprains and strains will feel better. Avoid strenuous exercise such as running for up to 8 weeks, as there’s a risk of further damage. Severe sprains and strains can take months to get back to normal.
Speak to a pharmacist about the best treatment for you. They might suggest tablets, or a cream or gel you rub on the skin.
Painkillers like paracetamol will ease the pain and ibuprofen will bring down swelling. However, you shouldn’t take ibuprofen for 48 hours after your injury as it may slow down healing.
You can find your nearest pharmacy at NHS Choices.
If you have a sprain or strain that’s taking longer than usual to get better, an appointment with a Physiotherapist might be of benefit.
You don’t need a GP appointment to book physiotherapy. You can book this direct at the reception desk by filling in a form stating what the problem is which will then be triaged by the physio department and they will offer you an appointment if appropriate.
Eczema
Eczema
Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is the most common form of eczema.
Atopic eczema causes the skin to become itchy, dry, cracked, sore and red. Some people only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread red, inflamed skin all over the body.
Although atopic eczema can affect any part of the body, it most often affects the hands, insides of the elbows, backs of the knees and the face and scalp in children.
You can help to improve your eczema by:
- Avoiding scratching
- Avoiding temperature extremes
- Wearing non-irritant clothes
- Avoiding using fabric softeners
- Avoiding soap
- Using moisturisers to help keep the skin hydrated
You can visit your Pharmacist who can recommend creams and antihistamines to help minimise the itching.
See your GP if you have symptoms of atopic eczema. They’ll usually be able to diagnose atopic eczema by looking at your skin and asking questions.
Typically, to be diagnosed with atopic eczema you should have had an itchy skin condition in the last 12 months and three or more of the following:
- visibly irritated red skin in the creases of your skin – such as the insides of your elbows or behind your knees (or on the cheeks, outsides of elbows, or fronts of the knees in children aged 18 months or under) at the time of examination by a health professional
- a history of skin irritation occurring in the same areas mentioned above
- generally dry skin in the last 12 months
- a history of asthma or hay fever– children under four must have an immediate relative, such as a parent, brother or sister, who has one of these conditions
- the condition started before the age of two (this does not apply to children under the age of four).
Depression
Depression
Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.
Some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They’re wrong – it is a real illness with real symptoms. Depression isn’t a sign of weakness or something you can “snap out of” by “pulling yourself together”.
The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people with depression can make a full recovery.
Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms.
They range from lasting feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.
There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and various aches and pains.
It’s important to seek help from your GP if you think you may be depressed.
Many people wait a long time before seeking help for depression, but it’s best not to delay. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery.
NHS Choices
Depression Self-Assessment – NHS Choices
MIND
Anxiety
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.
Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life – for example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test or job interview. During times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal.
However, some people find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their daily lives.
Some symptoms of anxiety can be:
- feeling restless or worried
- having trouble concentrating or sleeping
- dizziness or heart palpitations
There are many things you can do yourself to try and help reduce your anxiety, such as:
- going on a self-help course
- exercising regularly
- talking to someone you trust
- getting enough sleep
- stopping smoking
- cutting down on the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink
Although feelings of anxiety at certain times are completely normal, see your GP if anxiety is affecting your daily life or causing you distress.
Your GP will ask about your symptoms and your worries, fears and emotions to find out if you could have anxiety disorder.
Neck Pain / Stiff Neck
Neck Pain / Stiff Neck
Neck pain or a stiff neck is a common problem that usually gets better after a few days or weeks. It’s rarely a sign of anything serious.
You can often get a painful or stiff neck if you:
- sleep in an awkward position
- use a computer for a prolonged period of time
- strain a muscle because of bad posture
For most types of general neck pain, the advice is to carry on with your normal daily activities, keep active, and take painkillers to relieve the symptoms.
These steps may help you manage the pain:
- take regular doses of paracetamol, ibuprofen, or a combination of the two, to control pain – ibuprofen gel can be rubbed on to your neck as an alternative to taking tablets (always follow the instructions that come with the medication)
- try holding a hot water bottle or heat pack to your neck – this can help reduce the pain and any muscle spasms, although some people find cold packs offer better relief
- sleep on a low, firm pillow at night – using too many pillows may force your neck to bend unnaturally
- check your posture – bad posture can aggravate the pain, and it may have caused it in the first place
- avoid wearing a neck collar – there’s no evidence to suggest wearing a neck collar will help to heal your neck, and it’s generally better to keep your neck mobile
- avoid driving if you find it difficult to turn your head – this may prevent you being able to view traffic
- if your neck is stiff or twisted, try some neck exercises – gently tense your neck muscles as you tilt your head up and down and from side to side, and as you carefully twist your neck from left to right; these exercises will help strengthen your neck muscles and improve your range of movement.
You should see your GP if:
- the pain or stiffness doesn’t improve after a few days or weeks
- you can’t control the pain using ordinary painkillers
- you’re worried your neck pain could have a more serious cause
Your GP will examine your neck and ask some questions to help identify any underlying condition.
If you’ve had neck pain or stiffness for a month or more, your GP may be able to refer you to a physiotherapist.
