Section updated December 2021
First Contact Physiotherapy
This is a video to inform our patients about the First Contact Physiotherapy role and what the service can offer:
Sophie Hodgson BSc (Hons) MCSP HCPC is our First Contact Physiotherapist.
Experience
July 2020–October 2021: Band 7 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist Joint Musculoskeletal and Pain Service • NORTHUMBRIA Foundation NHS Trust
August 2012–July 2020: Senior Specialist Physiotherapist • NORTHUMBRIA Foundation NHS Trust
Education
BSc ( Hons) 1st Class in Physiotherapy, University of NORTHUMBRIA In Newcastle , BSc (Hons) in Human Biology, Leeds Metropolitan University
Professional Life
Sophie commenced physiotherapy practice in late 2007 following her graduation. Having completed all the rotational junior work in acute hospital and outpatient settings she began working as a senior musculoskeletal physiotherapist in 2010. During this time, she gained experience in trauma and orthopaedics, Rheumatology and rehabilitative musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Her skills of specialist assessment and rehabilitation were further advanced during her time in the Hartford orthopaedic rehabilitation unit, working specifically in the Lower limb groups. She also became a clinical educator for the Physiotherapy student program and developed necessary resources within the trust to help improve delivery. She has been an active member in the upper limb specialist interest group and has helped to develop evidence-based protocols for use in practice, alongside regular delivery of training. In 2016 she moved into a team lead role working and running a local department with a responsibility to mentor more junior staff. In 2020 she became a specialist senior clinician working in JMAPS at NORTHUMBRIA before moving to work for Well Up North as a First Contact Physiotherapist. Working in primary care in this new role is an excellent and exciting opportunity. It means she is able to see patients with Musculoskeletal pain face to face as a first point of contact with the aim of freeing up GP appointments and providing specialist high quality MSK care in a timely manner. So far the feedback has been excellent and utilisation of the service is growing week on week.
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
Free on-line course in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy:
Alcohol Consumption
Just like smoking, alcohol can give you cancer and it’s not just heavy drinkers who are affected. Even small amounts regularly can increase the risk – whether it is wine, beer or spirits. Find free tips and tools to cut down at:
Mind & Sole
A new free walking group:
ManKind Helpline
Support for male victims of domestic abuse:
Telephone: 01823 334244
Isolating at Home
Important information to keep you safe while isolating at home:
First Contact Physiotherapy
Bone, joint or muscle pain?
Taking Photographs & Having a Video Consultation
The links below explain how to take photographs and send them to the Practice and how to use video consultations:
| How to use video consultations |
| How to send a photo back to practice using accuRx |
Contact Family Support
Contact – family support for families who care for children with additional needs:
Over 50s Alcohol Helpline
The Over 50s Alcohol Helpline now offers an enhanced service for individuals who are considering making changes to their alcohol use. The enhanced service provision offers callers up to four additional appointments, during which time helpline alcohol advisors use evidenced based interventions to support callers to achieve their goals.
This service is available seven days a week. The helpline is open Monday to Friday 12pm – 8pm and 10am to 4pm at weekends. The freephone number to call is 0808 801 0750. To make an online booking for a phone call or video chat, over 50’s, concerned others, and professionals, can access appointments slots by visiting the With You website.
Social Prescribing Newsletter
Newsletter produced by the GP Link Workers:
Social Prescribing THE SCOOP March 2021
British Islamic Medical Association debunks COVID myths
The British Islamic Medical Association has provided resources in 10 languages to help debunk the most common COVID myths:
If U Care Share Foundation
The Foundation listens to and supports those affected by suicide. If this is of interest, please self-refer to the Foundation:
Could Your Child have Type 1 Diabetes?
Know the signs:
Grace Northumberland Rape Crisis
For women and girls who have experienced sexual violence:
Barnardo’s Young Dads’ Development Work
Aged 25 and under? The following may be of interest:
Online Wellbeing Support and Counselling for Farming People
The following link is for online wellbeing support and counselling for farming people:
Self Care
The following are useful links for fever in children and updating your winter medicine cabinet:
Social Prescribing
Social Prescribing involves getting help for the things that affect our health and wellbeing that can’t necessarily be treated with medicines. The attached poster provides more detail and how to self-refer:
Social Prescribing poster Widdrington
NHS Immunisations FAQs
This document provides information about frequently asked questions:
NHS Diabetes Advice Helpline
NHS England and NHS Improvement have launched a new helpline in response to disruption to normal diabetes services due to the COVID-19 pandemic and response.
The service is for adults living with diabetes who use insulin to manage their condition and require immediate clinical advice.
Whether you or a member of your household has caught the virus, or routine care has been disrupted, the helpline is available for immediate clinical advice to help you understand how to effectively manage your diabetes.
You can access NHS Diabetes Advice via Diabetes UK’s support line on 0345 123 2399 Monday – Friday from 9am – 6pm.
The following links may be useful when GPs offer advice over the telephone:
SAYANNA – Guide to Self Injection
http://www.sayanaanswers.co.uk/guide-to-self-injection
IUD
The link below is to an IUD film, reproduced with permission from Lothian Sexual Health, NHS Lothian:
http://www.lothiansexualhealth.scot.nhs.uk/Contraception/IUDIUS/Pages/default.aspx
Referral by your GP to see a Specialist
The link below is to a leaflet that explains what happens when you are referred by your GP to see a specialist:
Patient Transport
Pre-planned non emergency transport for patients who have a medical condition that would prevent them from travelling to a treatment centre by any other means or who require the skills of an ambulance care assistant during the journey. Please ring 0191 215 1515.
Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care
Offers staffed custom-made vehicles to transport outpatients free of charge to and from hospital who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy cancer treatment. Please ring 0191 285 5999 for further details.
Talking Matters Northumberland
Offers a free psychological treatment support and recovery service for the people of Northumberland over the age of 16 for depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health related problems. Please speak to your GP or ring the 24 helpline number: 0300 3030 700.
Onecall – 01670 536 400
One number for all adult social care and children services enquiries in Northumberland. Helping the most vulnerable people keep safe and well at home 24/7.
Self-help Resources
Below are simple self-help guides on: anger; self-harm; anxiety; low mood and stress.
Dermatology / Psoriasis
Enstilar – Psoriasis patient information
Spotting Sepsis in Under 5s
The link below is to a film on spotting Sepsis in under 5s:
https://www.nhs.uk/Video/Pages/spotting-sepsis-in-under-5s.aspx
GP Online Services Patient e-Learning Videos
A number of videos have been developed to support patients accessing GP online services on iPhones, Android devices and PCs. Please find links below:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkgW2Cz1X00Lrb5gszrEvS7w1tndhRuvA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkgW2Cz1X00L5S-tlwXYj3YH7VK6GmHMl