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Life threatening illness, loss and bereavement

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Life threatening illness, loss and bereavement

Life threatening illness, loss and bereavement

Cruse Bereavement Care

Cruse Bereavement Care is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Cruse offers support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies and work to enhance society’s care of bereaved people.

Cruse offers face-to-face, telephone, email and website support. Cruse has a Freephone national helpline and local services, and a website (hopeagain.org.uk) specifically for children and young people. Our services are provided by our network of 5,000 trained volunteers and are confidential and free. Cruse also provides training and consultancy for external organisations and for those who may encounter bereaved people in the course of their work. Click here to go to Cruse’s website.

The Harbour

Established in 1992 by psychotherapist Jill Brown, The Harbour provides free, professional counselling and psychotherapy to people facing emotional and psychological crisis as a result of life-threatening illness. Clients include those suffering from life-threatening illness, loved ones, carers and those who have been bereaved due to illness.

The Harbour supports around 300 people each year, offering 1:1 counselling, couples counselling, or group therapy depending on the needs of each client. This support can be a lifeline that for people who feel isolated, worried, in fear and/or at a loss in their relationships. It can help them to find the strength to manage their lives. Click here to go to The Harbour’s website.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide exists to meet the needs and break the isolation experienced by those bereaved by suicide. 

They are a self-help organisation and aim to provide a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, so giving and gaining support from each other. They also strive to improve public awareness and maintain contacts with many other statutory and voluntary organisations.

They offer a unique and distinct service for bereaved adults across the UK, run by the bereaved for the bereaved and currently help around 7000 people each year and continue to grow in response to significant unmet demand. Click here to go to the Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide website.

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Improved Access

We are working together with other local practices to offer patients access to more appointments in the early mornings, evenings and at weekends. To find out more about these services, please contact the practice.

The Pregnancy Crisis Support - Mendip

The Pregnancy Crisis Support team offer a confidential place to come to talk through your worries.

They have been open since 1999 and so have many years of experience of giving supportive help for those facing a crisis pregnancy, or needing specialist post-abortion or baby loss recovery support, or for pregnancy related issues. Click here to go to the Pregnancy Crisis Support group’s website.

Group A Streptococcus - Information for families and carers of children

You may have seen reports about a higher-than-usual level of Group A streptococcus (GAS) infections in children this year, and we understand if you are concerned.

GAS is a common bacteria – lots of people carry it without being unwell.

It can cause many common mild infections, including sore throats or scarlet fever, which can be easily treated with antibiotics. 

The information below explains how it is spread, and what to look for when your child is unwell.

How is it spread?

GAS spreads by close contact with an infected person. It can be passed on through coughs and sneezes, or from a wound.

Which infections does GAS cause?

The bacteria usually causes a mild infection, producing sore throats or scarlet fever, which can be easily treated with antibiotics.

What is invasive group A strep?

This is when the bacteria gets into the bloodstream and causes serious illness – called invasive Group A strep (iGAS). These cases are very rare.

Symptoms of mild GAS infections

Symptoms of mild infections include: sore throat; fever; chills; muscle aches; and in cases of scarlet fever, a rash and a white coating on the tongue, which peels leaving the tongue red, swollen and covered in bumps

When to contact us:

– If your child is not recovering after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection, and you are concerned they are becoming more unwell

– If your child is drinking much less (50% less) than normal

– If your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more, or shows other signs of dehydration

– If your baby is under three months and has a temperature of 38C, or is three to six months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher

– If your child is very tired or irritable

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

– Your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs

– There are pauses when your child breathes

– Your child’s tongue or lips are blue, or their skin is mottled/pale

– Your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

– Your child has a weak, continuous, or high-pitched cry

 

Click here to find out more about what symptoms to look out for and how to keep well