| A free training course accredited by the North East Open College Network is being made available for anyone who is living with alcohol or drugs misuse. The course "Making Sense of It" - is being co-ordinated by the County Durham Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) and is designed for local people who have an interest in drug and alcohol misuse arid the impact it has upon health.
The course will be held over a seven-week period. Each session lasts for three hours and will cover topics such as:
• Attitudes of young people towards drugs and alcohol
• Looking at the various drugs and its effects
• Looking at drugs and the law.
• How drugs and alcohol impact on our health.
Mandy English. Parent and Carer Co-ordinator at the Durham DAAT, said: "The course wiil offer education and training and priority will be given to anyone who is or has lived with someone who has/had difficulties with drugs or alcohol.
"The course will be taught in a user-friendly way with emphasis on the enjoyment whilst learning. No previous experience or qualifications are necessary and there will be help towards travelling expenses."
A certificate will be presented at the end of the course from North East Open College Network. Venues are to be confirmed at a later date. Courses will start towards the end of January and the beginning of February 2006. Anyone interested in attending can contact either Mandy English or Jill Jefferson on 0191 333 3237 for more details. For more information contact Pat Lawlor, Communications Assistant on 0191 333 3003.
Primary Care Trusts in County Durham are asking people to "Get the Right Treatment" this winter by supporting a national campaign launched by the Department of Health. Being ill is never fun, but you can end up feeling a hundred times worse if health problems affect you over the Christmas and New Year period while everyone else is having a good time. It doesn't matter what age we are, or how fit we feel, we can all suffer health problems brought on by the colder weather. However, with the right advice and information, lots of ailments, like simple coughs and colds, can be treated effectively at home. You can help yourself by:
• Keeping basic first aid items such as painkillers, bandages etc at home. Always keep medicines in a secure, dry and cool place, out of sight and reach of children
• Keeping your local NHS and NHS Direct phone numbers handy
• Making sure you have had your free flu jab, if you are over 65 or suffer from asthma or diabetes.
It makes sense to be well prepared just in case -- there's nothing worse than feeling poorly, or seeing a family member suffer when they should be enjoying themselves.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the wide range of NHS services available and to emphasise the importance of self-care and NHS Direct. It will encourage people to consider the options available, such as NHS Direct, local pharmacies, Minor Injuries Units or Walk In Centres, before reaching for the phone and calling their GP, going to A&E or dialling 999. It also aims to raise awareness of the growing range of services provided by community pharmacists.
As part of the local publicity campaign posters and leaflets are available from GP surgeries, outpatient clinics and other health premises in the local area, and as in previous years, special supplements have been published with local free newspapers. Ann Donnan, Director of Unscheduled Care/Planning for PCTs in County Durham and Darlington, said: The NHS offers the public a wide range of services, and it can be difficult for people to decide which service suits their needs.
This campaign will help inform people about their choices. It also complements the local NHS service information published in Thomson Local telephone directories and Yellow Pages.
"In addition to the more traditional services such as local hospitals and the GPs, the NHS offers convenient, accessible services such as NHS Walk-in Centres and NHS Direct. Pharmacists are also starting to offer a wide range of services. By making the right choice at the right time, patients will get the fastest, best possible treatment.
"Emergency services such as ambulances should be used only in genuine emergencies. If people are unsure about where to go for treatment, NHS Direct and NHS staff can help them make the right choice to meet their needs.'"
For more information please contact Tina Young, Communications Manager on 0191 333 3382.
|
