Help us to help you

If you need medical help from your GP practice, do not hesitate to contact them either online, via an app or by phone to be assessed. If you have a symptom that you are worried about, for example, signs and symptoms associated with cancer, you must contact your GP immediately. You can find further useful local information (see primary care section). 

If you need urgent medical help, use NHS 111 online. If you cannot get help online, phone 111, for example if you are really worried about the health of your baby or child. If you do not have internet access you can ring 111, or if you are deaf you can contact the NHS 111 BSL Interpreter service or call 18001 111 on a textphone.

If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999, for example if your child is seriously injured, if you think you or a family member are suffering with the symptoms of a heart attack (symptoms include heavy or tight chest pain that may spread to your arms, neck or jaw, or make you breathless, sick, sweaty or light-headed and that doesn’t go away) or symptoms of a stroke:

• Face - is the face drooping / fallen on one side? Can they smile?
• Arms - can they raise both arms and keep them there?
• Speech - is it slurred?

If you are told to go to hospital it is important that you go to hospital. NHS organisations having been working tirelessly to ensure that essential services are as safe as possible for people needing treatment for non-Covid-19 related conditions. You can find out more information about how hospitals have responded to Covid-19 here (in the hospital section).

You should continue to attend your appointments, unless told otherwise. You can find information about service changes here.

More than 200,000 people are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes every year – and that means the risk of serious health complications and early death. Modern life can make it hard to be healthy but for many people, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by making small lifestyle changes. For more information please read this leaflet (opens document).

Dentists haven’t been working as normal, but will be offering more services from June 8. You should call your normal dentist and they will tell you what to do. More information can be found here (in the dentists section). 

You can order your repeat prescriptions on the NHS App and through your GP surgery or pharmacy’s online service, where available. You can find more information here (under the section on primary care). To help us in supplying medicines to everyone who needs them, please only order repeat prescriptions in your usual quantities at the usual time.

If you need to collect a prescription and have coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating at home – please arrange for a friend, relative or volunteer to collect for you. If you do not have any support you can contact the Community Response Hubs in either Derby or Derbyshire. The details can be found here in the section on local authorities (scroll down to community response hubs).

It is important that you or your baby/child still have routine vaccinations. They protect against serious and potentially deadly illnesses and stop outbreaks in the community. Contact your GP to arrange this.

If the person needing vaccination has coronavirus symptoms or is self-isolating because someone in the household is displaying symptoms, please contact your GP practice for advice.

If you are pregnant it is important that you still attend your ante-natal appointments and continue to seek advice from your midwife or maternity team. 

If you are worried about your health or the health of your unborn baby, please contact your midwife or maternity team.

The information here (in the hospital section) explains how each hospital is responding to Covid-19 including maternity services.

Mother Hub Derbyshire is a dedicated website that has lots of information ranging from pregnancy right through to the early years - visit Mother Hub Derbyshire for Derby and Derbyshire information. 

NHS England has an information leaflet on maternity during the time of Coronavirus. NHS England has information available in different languages on planning your birth and looking after yourself and your baby.

The NHS is here to support your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as your physical health. 

If you are concerned about the mental health of your child, please contact your GP or you can find useful resources here (in the section on mental health). A particularly useful resource around emotional health and wellbeing can be found here.

If you are facing mental health issues contact your GP or key worker, if you have one, and continue to access your mental health services as usual, although some of these may now be online. There is a mental health helpline available – details here.

If you are facing a mental health crisis you can phone the mental health helpline, use the NHS 111 online service or call 111.

If you need medical help, reasonable adjustments will be made so you get the right care and support. People aged 16 years and above can find advice and support information here. Support for children and young people can be found here.

Coronavirus is making life hard for people in lots of different ways. An NHS Trust has produced several videos to help people with learning disabilities cope with the changes and stay safe. There are lots of good ideas to help make life easier when you can’t go out and meet people. There are also numbers to call if you need any more help.

Cardiovascular Information for Patients
People affected by heart and circulatory conditions can't get coronavirus off their minds. We have information for you to help you during this difficult time. Read more here. 

Help us to Help You – Be Clear on Cancer
Due to coronavirus, fewer people are contacting their doctor. Your local surgery is ready to help you safely. They can talk to you over the phone, or by video link, and can arrange for further tests. Whatever happens, tell your doctor if your symptoms get worse or don’t get better. Early diagnosis saves lives. Read more here. 

Respiratory information
Here you can find more information about how manage your condition during Covid19 with useful links for advice and support. Read more here. 

Positive feedback
During these challenging times, patient care, safety and compassion have been at the forefront of health and care staff who have been working above and beyond during the pandemic.  We wanted to share some feedback from local people. 

Delivering community care during coronavirus – Part I

As part of our series looking at how the NHS has continued to offer care across a wide range of settings during coronavirus we caught up with Community Physiotherapist, Becky Mead to find out if coronavirus has affected the way she has delivered her role. Read the full story here

This feedback has been collected first hand from patients who were leaving Derby hospital during the period 30 March – 25 May 2020. The Royal Derby Hospitals Discharge lounge which during that period was located in the Kings Treatment Centre proudly displayed a rainbow of positive messages from patients who had experienced healthcare during lockdown.

Delivering community care during coronavirus – Part I
As part of our series looking at how the NHS has continued to offer care across a wide range of settings during coronavirus we caught up with Community Physiotherapist, Becky Mead to find out if coronavirus has affected the way she has delivered her role. Read the full story here

Delivering community care during coronavirus - Part 2
As part of our series looking at how the NHS has continued to offer care across a wide range of settings during coronavirus we caught up with Advanced Support Worker, Lisa Bufton, to find out if coronavirus has affected the way she has delivered her role. Read the full story here

Delivering cardiovascular care during the coronavirus pandemic
As part of our series looking at how the NHS has continued to offer care across a wide range of settings during coronavirus we caught up with Dr Damian Kelly, Consultant Cardiologist at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, to find out if coronavirus has affected the way he has delivered his role. ​​​​​​​Read his full story here

Delivering GP services during the coronavirus pandemic
As part of our series looking at how the NHS has continued to offer care across a wide range of settings during coronavirus Simon Towers caught up with GP and Chesterfield Royal Hospital Staff Governor, Dr Ruth Bentley, to find how coronavirus affected the way she delivered her role. Read more here