Health and Wellbeing
Talk Wellbeing
Since the summer of 2023, we have been offering a ‘Talk Wellbeing’ service to communities across Herefordshire.
The service is offered via pop-up clinics throughout the county in partnership with community groups and partner organisations. It is available to anyone over the age of 18 but we are particularly hoping to reach those who find it more difficult to engage with health services, for whatever reason.
Our friendly and experienced healthcare professionals are able to help with:
- How to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke
- Cholesterol and blood pressure checks
- How to get registered with a GP Practice (if you’re not already registered)
- How to make changes to your health and wellbeing but are not sure where to start
- Signposting to services and community groups that are available in your area.
In February 2024 we were delighted to open a new Talk Wellbeing Hub at Maylord Orchards in Hereford City. This was added as a pilot to test the concept of 'Health on the High Street' and was located in the old Top Shop store. It aimed to understand if the flexibility of an easily accessible, drop-in service would remove some of the barriers people experience in accessing healthcare.
A range of services were offered at the Hub, alongside space for colleagues from other organisations to work and increase their availability. These included representatives from Herefordshire Mind, the school nursing team, the Samaritans, Dementia Matters Here(fordshire), Carer LInks, Turning Point and the Healthy Lifestyles team, to name a few.
Feedback from patients, staff and colleagues in partner organisations was hugely positive. We know that 75% of people calling into the Hub were passers-by and partner organisations welcomed the opportunity to raise their profile at no additional cost to them. We believe that 'Health on the High Street' has a role in the future. However, sadly we were unable to identify sufficient funding to keep the Hub running and as a result it closed in December 2024.
We are continuing to offer our pop-up clinics across the county - please see below for forthcoming dates and venues.
Free health checks are also available at our Community Health Hub based at Nelson House, Whitecross Road, Hereford. Call 01432 262684 or email thl.talkwellbeing@nhs.net to book a slot.
In addition, we will be working to bring health checks to key employer locations in the county and delivering the new DWP funded scheme to help local people with health related barriers to employment to start, stay and succeed at work. For further information, please contact us as above.
Want to know more about the Talk Wellbeing Service?
Please watch this short video to find out more
NHS Health Checks
In partnership with all Herefordshire GP practices, Taurus Healthcare supports NHS Health Checks throughout the county. These are designed to spot the early signs of certain conditions that may affect your health and/or quality of life. For example, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.
NHS Health Checks are offered to adults in England, aged 40-74 who do not have any pre-existing health conditions. Every five years, you can expect to be invited for your free Health Check, which will take place at your GP surgery or at a central location run by Taurus.
At the Health Check, an experienced NHS healthcare professional will ask you some questions and undertake some quick and pain-free health checks. These will include taking your blood pressure, finding out your cholesterol level and measuring your height and weight. They will then explain to you what your results mean and suggest any further actions that may be needed to improve your health and wellbeing.
You will receive a letter from your surgery inviting you to come forward for your check. If you haven’t received a letter, do not have any pre-existing health conditions and have not been for a Health Check within the last five years, please ask for more information from your GP surgery reception team.
NHS Health Checks for People with Learning Disabilities
Annual Health Checks are offered to anyone aged 14 or over who has a learning disability. However, many do not take up the offer for a number of reasons including worries about what they involve.
In this video, members of Herefordshire Health Checkers are featured to explain what Annual Health Checks are and why they are important. They also provide reassurance on some of the most common worries expressed by people with learning disabilities.
The support available at surgeries for patients with learning disabilities is outlined. This could include requesting reasonable adjustments such as quieter appointment times or bringing a trusted family member or friend with them to their appointment.
The Herefordshire Health Check Team says:
"Going for a health check ...... isn't easy for everyone and it can make people feel anxious, worried, scared and unsure of what to expect.
"We have put together (a) short film(s) to tell you more about Annual Health Checks ..... so that you know more about them and what to expect from them and why it is so important to keep your body healthy."