Connections – helping you build social bonds

Connections is a service from Mid Sussex Health Care designed to help people who may feel lonely, isolated, or simply want to meet new people. Whether you’re looking for friendship, new social opportunities, or a way to boost your overall well-being, we’re here to help you connect with like-minded people in a friendly and supportive environment.

Why social connections matter

Feeling connected to others is essential for both mental and physical health. Studies show that strong social bonds can:
✔ Reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation
✔ Improve mood, confidence, and well-being
✔ Boost memory and cognitive skills
✔ Lower the risk of serious illnesses
✔ Increase overall happiness and sense of belonging

What we offer

We understand that joining a new group can feel daunting. That’s why we offer one-on-one support before your first session—so you’ll have a familiar face when you arrive. You won’t be the only one looking to make new connections, and we’ll ensure you feel comfortable and welcome.

We also take the time to understand your hobbies, interests, and social needs before introducing you to groups or services that suit you.

Some of the groups we can connect you with include:

Befriended – Providing friendship and support
Community People – Social gatherings and community-based activities
Neighbourly Care – Local support services
LoveArt Studios – Creative workshops and artistic expression
Age Concern & U3A – Activities and opportunities for older adults

(Availability of services may vary)

If you’d like to join Connections, just ask at reception. A member of our team will have a chat with you about your interests and help find a group or service that feels like the right fit. If you’re feeling a bit unsure, we can also arrange for you to meet a team member beforehand, so there’s a familiar face when you come along for the first time.

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out more, feel free to reach out:

📞 Phone: 01273 834388
📧 Email: sxicb-wsx.mshc.socialprescribers@nhs.net

We’d love to welcome you!

Personalised Care Team

Would you like to have the opportunity to improve your health and wellbeing?

At MSHC we are lucky to have our own Personalised Care Team who can talk to you about what matters to you to improve your health and wellbeing.

This could include gym referrals, weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation, health and wellbeing coaching, advice about housing and benefits, linking you with community organisations, referral to our Emotional Wellbeing Service, or organising a review of your chronic medical conditions with our clinical team.

If you would like to start a conversation about improving your health and wellbeing then please contact our team who would be happy to help you get started.

Further information:

Social Prescriber Link Workers & Care Co-ordinators – Mid Sussex Health Care

Social prescribing – Transformation Partners in Health and Care

Mid Sussex Wellbeing / Provided by West Sussex County Council and Mid Sussex District Council (westsussexwellbeing.org.uk)

Emotional & Mental Wellbeing at Mid Sussex Healthcare

Getting support for your emotional and mental wellbeing at Mid Sussex Healthcare.

If you are looking for support for your emotional health and wellbeing, and would like some tools, techniques and resources to cope better, the emotional wellbeing service is now available at the surgery.

You can contact the surgery and ask to be referred to the mental health support coordinator Kirsty, and after an initial call and assessment a personalised support plan will be created for you. This plan will enable you to work towards your goals taking small positive steps that will suit your needs.

Support will usually be offered on a one-to-one basis, either in person, over the phone, via online video calls or by email. From time to time small group workshops are offered on prominent emotional wellbeing topics.

Information can also be provided about other local services in the area that maybe helpful for you, and if appropriate help with referrals to higher level services.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, are worried about a family or friend, or want to find other services available in Sussex to support you, help is available as detailed below.

For non-emergency situations:

NHS 111 Tel: 111 and selection option 2

Sussex Mental Health Line Tel: 0800 0309 500

Sane Line Tel: 0300 304 7000

Samaritans Tel: 116 123

Shout Mental Health Text Support Text: SHOUT to 85258

In an emergency, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department.

Useful Leaflets

Getting support for your emotional wellbeing in your GP surgery (A5)

Getting support for your emotional wellbeing in your GP surgery (A4)

Getting support for your emotional wellbeing in your GP surgery (Trifold Brochure)

Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) with the Burgess Hill and villages PCN.

Hello

My name is Jas Sadool, I am a Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) with the Burgess Hill and villages PCN. I work collaboratively with Kirsty, the Mental Health Support Coordinator (MHSC), as part of the Emotional Wellbeing Service (EWS). Our combined efforts are focused on providing the best possible support for your mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Kirsty takes the lead in working directly with patients, offering up to six one-on-one sessions. During these sessions, she provides personalised support plans, coping techniques, and signposting for further mental health assistance. Kirsty carefully assesses each patient’s needs and challenges to determine the appropriate level of support.

If Kirsty identifies that a patient would benefit from additional expertise and support, she refers them to me as the MHP. At this stage, we conduct a joint assessment to gain a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s unique needs and goals. Working together, we determine the best course of action for their mental health journey.

Following the joint assessment, I will begin working with the patient through one-on-one sessions (up to six times). In these sessions, I will create personalised support plans that address their specific needs and goals. My focus is on empowering patients with coping skills and techniques to manage emotions, navigate challenges, and build resilience.

Throughout the journey, Kirsty and I maintain a strong collaborative approach, to ensure comprehensive care that addresses your overall wellbeing. We are committed to fostering a nurturing and empathetic environment, creating a safe space where you can explore and enhance your mental health. Our goal is to empower you with the necessary tools and support to navigate life’s challenges and embrace a healthier mental state.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from our support, please reach out to your GP practice. Remember, seeking support is a proactive step towards better mental health, and we are here to assist you every step of the way.

Jas Sadool

Mental health practitioner

Burgess Hill and Villages PCN launch Health and Wellbeing Coaching Service- January 2024

Health and Wellbeing Coaches support people in making improvements to their lifestyles. It is suitable for patients who may be low in motivation to change, who ‘know’ what they should be doing but are finding it challenging to follow through.

Do you have raised cholesterol/ blood pressure or are pre/Type 2 diabetic and would like to improve your diet, reduce your weight or increase your activity? Then working with a coach could help you learn new skills to self-manage these conditions and take back control of your health.

Coaches encourage people to find workable solutions whilst providing information, resources and links to other services to support change.

Health Coaching will enable you to

Establish step by step goals
Learn new skills
Be persistent
Reward success
Focus on one behaviour at a time
Seek support

Suitable for:

18 years and over
Complex health: cardiovascular disease, prediabetes, type 2, raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol and other long-term conditions
Lifestyle factors; poor diet, weight, anxiety, low activity, poor sleep
Low in motivation or activation
Wanting behavioural change to improve health

Not suitable for:

Severe mental illness
Severe cognitive impairment Addiction or misuse of substances  
Urgent social care needs  
Eating disorder

How do I access Health and Wellbeing Coaching?

Have a chat with your GP or practice staff member about being referred.

How many sessions will I get?

X 6, 1-2-1 sessions spread over a period of months.

Lucy Case

Social Prescriber Link Workers & Care Co-ordinators

Many things affect your health and wellbeing. GPs tell us that a lot of people visit them feeling isolated or lonely. Or they might be stressed out by work, money and housing problems. Sometimes it’s the stress of managing different long-term conditions.

That’s where social prescribing comes in. It starts with a conversation.

Support with cost of Living Crisis

To support Mid Sussex residents with the Cost of Living Crisis, Mid Sussex District Council have put together a Winter Support Guide, which contains information about Affordable Warmth, Food Support, Help with Finances and Useful Contacts. If you would like any help accessing any services please contact our Social Prescribers Amelia or Rita via the surgery.

Download the Winter Support Leaflet

Care Coordinators

If you are living with a medical condition and require some additional support – whatever it is – we are here to help.

The Practice is offering a signposting service for our patients, delivered by our Care Co-ordinators. The service is designed to help support patients in a practical way to help them access the many varied services, available both within the NHS and the local community.

Services we commonly help with include:

Transport links – Blue Badge, taxi vouchers, etc

Carers Support

Equipment for the home

Befriending

Continence issues and many more

If you feel you would benefit from this service, or someone you care for would benefit, please ask for a telephone call with one of our Care Co-ordinators Pam or Barbara or email mshc.care-coordinators@nhs.net

Download the Care Coordinator Leaflet

Social Prescriber Link workers

That’s where social prescribing comes in. It starts with a conversation. It might be the

conversation you’ve just had with your doctor. Or with another person in the practice team. They will refer you to a social prescribing link worker.

The link worker is there to listen to you, and put you in touch with the people and activities that might help you to feel better. We can even accompany you for those first visits if you are feeling apprehensive.

Activities we commonly introduce people to include:

Local Age Concern

Community Cafes

Social Groups

Dementia Cafes

Choir

And many more

We can also offer help, advice and signposting for those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

You may be referred to this service by a health professional, or you can self-refer via reception on 01273 834388, just ask for Amelia or Debbie, or you can email us at

sxicb-wsx.mshc.socialprescribers@nhs.net

There are information boards on each site which get updated regularly so please take a look when you are in the surgery

Download the Social Prescribing Leaflet

Young Persons

Can I see my doctor by myself?

Yes. There is no reason why you can’t ask to see the doctor by yourself. They might
want to find out why and might encourage you to tell your parent or carer, but should
respect your wishes if you don’t want to.

What age can I visit a doctor?

You can visit your doctor at any age, about any issue.

Do I have to be sick if I want to see them?

No. You can see your doctor whenever you like if something is bothering you,
whether you are feeling unwell or not.

Sometimes just talking to your doctor can help you feel better, and they may be able
to give you help that you didn’t know about.

How do I get a GP?

If you’re over the age of 16, you can join with a GP by yourself. We will ask you
to fill in a registration form and ask to see proof of identity such as a passport or
proof of address such as a mobile phone bill.

If you’re under the age of 16, your parents or carers should join you.

How do I make an appointment?

You can make an appointment by calling us on 01273 834388 and speaking to the
receptionist or visiting us in person. The receptionist will ask you who the
appointment is for and why. This is to make sure that you see the right person at the
right time.
If it’s something personal then you don’t have to tell them why – just say it’s for
something personal. You can also ask to see a male or female doctor.

If I tell my doctor something private, will they tell anyone else?

No. Anything you say to your doctor must be kept between you guys, unless you
agree otherwise. It might help to ask if they are going to tell anyone just to make
sure. If they do, then they should ideally ask your permission first, unless you are in
danger or at risk of harm.

They might encourage you to tell others (like your parent or carer) yourself, or they
can speak to them on your behalf if you would prefer that. This is because
sometimes it’s important for those looking after you to know what’s going on, as they
may be able to help or support you.

The only time a doctor can speak to someone else about you without your
permission is when there is a danger that your safety or someone else’s safety might
be at risk. That doesn’t automatically mean that they tell your parent or carer, but
they may want to speak to other people like the Police or Social Services. In these
cases, they should tell you first if possible so that you know what’s going on.
Remember, the only reason doctors usually speak to others is when they are worried
about you, and always have your best interests at heart.

What happens if I don’t like my doctor?

All our doctors are great at their job and care about their patients a lot.
However, there are times when people either don’t get on with or feel uncomfortable
with their doctor. In those cases, you can always ask to see someone else. You may
not be able to do this straight away and might have to wait for another appointment,
so it’s better to say as early as possible (ideally when you’re booking the
appointment).

If you’re not happy with your care or treatment, you can make a complaint.

And finally ………… thinking about going to University?

It’s a good idea to have a Men ACWY vaccination before you go. This will protect
you against four types of meningitis; Men A, Men C, Men W and Men Y. You will
have had vaccination against Men C when you were little but this is a booster to
ensure immunity in new environments. Illnesses can thrive in places where there
are lots of people. The Men ACWY vaccination is aimed at all freshers aged
17-18.

More Info

Did you know you can request a male or female GP? You can also be seen on your own, with a friend or with a parent or carer – you decide. We also have evening appointments available.

To book an appointment call our hub number on 01273 834388. Young people aged 11-16 years can also sign up to online services with our receptionists and book in online if a doctor authorises this.

BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT

Please see here for more information.

CONFIDENTIALITY

We provide a confidential service to all our patients, including under 16’s. This means that what we discuss in each appointment stays private, including from your parent or guardian, unless you choose to tell them. We only break confidentiality if we are concerned you are in danger and we would always try and talk to you first about this.

We only pass on personal information to other health professionals in the interests of your health.

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Everyone struggles coping with their feelings sometimes. It’s important to look after your emotional health as well as your physical health. If you’re struggling with low mood, feeling anxious or stressed, please book in to discuss with one of our GPs or you can self-refer to our Youth Emotional Support service.

Here are some useful websites that may help also:

Doc Ready – it can be difficult to talk to people for the first time about your mental health. This website helps you build a checklist of what to discuss with the GP.

YouTube link to Chat Health text service for 5-19yrs

Young Minds – Advice and support for people with young persons with mental health problems

Calm Harm – An app to help with self-harm

Childline Exam Stress and Pressure – Advice if you’re feeling stressed about exams

Teenage Health Freak – Advice on a wide variety of health problems that may affect teenagers

Sexwise – advice about sexually transmitted infections, contraception and pregnancy

Talk to Frank – Information about drugs and addiction

Ear Syringing

We are no longer performing ear syringing/irrigation at Mid Sussex Health Care but can get patients who need this done referred to The Brow.

Ear wax is a build-up of dead cells, hair and foreign material such as dust and cerumen. Cerumen is the natural wax produced by glands in the ear. It forms a protective covering of the skin lining the ear canal. Small amounts are made all the time.

The quantity of ear wax made varies from person to person. Some people form plugs of earwax which leads to a feeling of fullness and dulled hearing. It can be painful and cause a ‘ringing in the ear’ or even dizziness.

DO NOT try to clean the ear canal with a cotton bud etc. as all this does is push the earwax further into the ear canal. It could also cause an ear infection.

Symptoms of earwax build-up include:

hearing loss
earache or a feeling that your ears are blocked
ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
vertigo (feeling dizzy and sick)

Causes of earwax build-up

A build-up of earwax can happen if:

you have narrow or damaged ear canals
you have lots of hair in your ear canals
you have a skin condition affecting your scalp or around your ear
you have inflammation of your ear canal (otitis externa or “swimmer’s ear”)

Preventing earwax build-up

Eardrops can sometimes clear the ear wax without the need for ear irrigation. You can buy these from the pharmacy. Olive oil, almond oil (if no allergy to nuts) or sodium bicarbonate are most commonly used.

Warm the drops to room temperature before using them. Pour a few drops into the affected ear. Lie down with the affected ear uppermost when instilling the drops. Stay like this for 5-10 mins and let the drops soak into the ear wax. Do not put cotton wool in after instilling ear drops. Once the wax is softened it often breaks out and clears spontaneously. You may not even notice the wax coming out of your ear. Perform this procedure at least twice daily for 2 weeks.

If after 2 weeks of ear drops the feelings of dulled hearing, fullness, possibly pain and dizziness then the patient needs an appointment with the GP to check and refer for ear irrigation at The Brow if this is felt necessary.

To prevent repeated build-up of ear wax that requires regular ear irrigation, as this procedure in itself has risks, it is recommended that the use of regular ear drops such as olive oil once or twice per week.

Not everyone is suitable for ear irrigation so it is important that they are assessed by the GP prior to referral.

A pharmacist can help with earwax build-up

Speak to a pharmacist about earwax build-up. They can give advice and suggest treatments.

They might recommend medicines to dissolve the earwax. The earwax should fall out on its own or dissolve after about a week.

Do not use drops if you have a hole in your eardrum (a perforated eardrum) without seeking advice.

Further information:

Earwax build-up – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Earwax | Causes, Treatment and Build-up Prevention | Patient

Travel Health

Important News Regarding Vaccinations

Whilst we are unable to provide Travel vaccinations at present, please see Hurstpierpoint pharmacy’s website as they provide a wide range of private and NHS services in West Sussex: https://hurstpharmacy.co.uk/

Our Nurses can provide comprehensive travel health advice and arrange for appropriate immunisations. Please arrange an appointment for a travel consultation at least 6-8 weeks before departure if possible. Vaccines need time to take effect and some may require a course over several weeks.

Select the region you are travelling to find out more.

Europe & Russia	North America
Central America	South America
Carribean	Africa
Middle East	Central Asia
East Asia	Australasia and Pacific

Non-urgent advice: Further Travel Information

The following websites will give you additional travel advice

Travel Health for information of vaccinations available on NHS

MASTA for private vaccination clinics

Gov.uk for specific country travel advice

EHIC to apply for your free European Health Insurance Card

Non-urgent advice: Travel Vaccination Prices

Travel advice is covered by the NHS, however some vaccinations and prescriptions are only available privately.

Payment for non-NHS services must be made at the first travel appointment.

Non NHS Services

Non NHS/Private Services

Certain services we provide are not covered by the NHS and are therefore deemed to be ‘Private Services’ you will be asked to pay a fee for these. Please note that our NHS service take priority over the provision of these private services and private does not mean faster.

You will be made aware when dropping in your request, the expected timeline of completion.

Please see the examples of services where you will be charged including:

Pre-employment medicals
Medical report/examination for fitness to drive
Private certificates (eg private sick notes)
Insurance claim forms
Some holiday vaccinations such as yellow fever and meningitis

Patients are requested to settle accounts at the time of request. Travel fees must be paid prior to appointment or on the day of treatment.

Private Letters & Reports

Claim forms, holiday cancellation reports, letters of fact requested for third parties are chargeable and not available on the NHS.

In the past we have been left with many letters not collected by patients.

These take up valuable GP and administration time and we request you settle your account at the time of request.

Payment can be made by cash, cheque or card.

Fees

For NHS Patients but Non NHS Services

Elderly Driver Medical	£115
PSV/HGV Medical (an eye test performed by an optician is required prior to this medical)	£120
Sporting Medical	£115
Adoption/Forstering Medical	£120

INSURANCE REPORTS – supplied within 14 days of settlement of your invoice

General Practitioner’s Report	£130.00 (invoice required)
Supplementary Report	£35.00 (invoice may be required)
Medical Examination	£148 + £30 each test
Targeted Report	£20-£70

CERTIFICATES/LETTERS – Please allow at least 14 working days

Private Sick Note	£35
Private Health (Bupa etc) form	£35
Holiday Cancellation Claim	£35
Shotgun CertificateFollowing a change in the process required for the application of firearms certificates, please do not send your application to the police until the medical proforma is completed in order to be sent with the application. The Practice may complete Medical Proformas in relation to an application for a shotgun/firearms licence or renewal of a licence, for which the fee is between £50 and £100 dependent on the complexity of your health record. However the individual doctor may make the decision to decline this private service to prioritise NHS work. If licence holders are members of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) they can ring 01244 573010 for further advice. Alternatively you could contact MedCert (www.medcert.co.uk).	£50 – £100
TWIMC/Fitness to travel	£35
Doctor’s written report for Occ Health, Employers etc	£95 (or at doctor’s discretion)
Passport/Driving Licence Photograph verification	Not undertaken

GENERAL – Please allow at least 14 working days

Copy of Notes (for patient)	Online access
Ofsted Reports (for patient)	£75
Update to Adult Health Report	£25
DVLA Questionnaire	£40 (payable by DVLA but needs inv)
Child Protection: Attending conference Submitting a Report (non attendance)	£115£75

Private blood Tests	£25 + path lab costs
Private Prescriptions	£30 each per script + pharmacy fees

Benzodiazepines and Fear of Flying

Benzodiazepines (e.g. Diazepam) are drugs which have historically been used for a wide range of conditions including alcohol withdrawal, anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms, psychiatric disorders and sleep disturbance.

Drugs of this kind have potential short and long term negative effects and for this reason are no longer widely used for phobias such as frequent flying. Often the most effective, long term option to help can be found by attending a Fear of Flying course, which are run by the major airline companies.

Easy Jet www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com Tel 0203 8131644

British Airways www.flyingwithconfidence.com Tel 01252 793250

Virgin www.flyingwithoutfear.co.uk Tel 01423 714900

We do however appreciate that a fear of flying can be a very frightening experience which may impact on our ability to travel for holidays, work or even visit loved ones and we are happy to discuss the most appropriate treatment options for you.

Health Promotion

We encourage all our patients to share the responsibility for their health, both in preventing disease and treating existing disease. Prevention really is better than cure. Many of the most serious diseases can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle and without drugs.

For our patients’ wellbeing we provide the following services:

Diabetic clinics
Asthma clinics
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Travel advice and immunisations
Smoking Cessation clinics

All our surgeries have blood pressure machines in the waiting room. These are available to you at any time during surgery opening hours. If you need help with using the machine please ask our reception staff.

Vaccinations

Flu Vaccinations

We advise all patients over the age of 65 to be vaccinated against influenza.

It is also recommended for patients with heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes and residents of nursing and rest homes.

Pneumovax Vaccinations

If you are aged 65 or over we also offer immunisations to help protect you against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis.