Health Advice Service…
Health is not merely the absence of a disease, but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being" (WHO 1948)
Uniquely and unlike other advice providers, the Citizens Advice Bureau offers holistic advice, professional level training, knowledge and expertise in many subjects plus specialist workers in benefits, debt & employment. Our clients don't need to see a number of agencies as they can receive almost all the advice they need from their Health Advice worker or on occasion another member of our locally based team. We can give whatever assistance our client needs, whether it's filling in a form or writing letters up to attending court or representing them at a tribunal.
The Health Advice Service plays a fundamental part in the provision of advice services in the former Sedgefield Borough area. It has now been in existence for 13 years and grown year after year. It is without doubt heavily relied on by health professionals and clients alike.
The health of individuals and populations is determined not only by genetic makeup, lifestyle factors and environmental exposures, but by a broader range of social determinants. These wider social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequalities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries. Social determinants of health include:
- Income
- Social status
- Education
- Social support
- Employment and working conditions
- Housing
Poor social and economic circumstances affect health throughout life. Poverty and indebtedness can have serious consequences for individuals' physical and mental well being (Acheson Report 1998). Mental health problems are a major cause of ill health in the UK. At any one time as many as one in four adults in England will have a mental health problem (NHSIC 2009); one in four with mental health problems is also in debt (Jenkins 2008); one in two people with debts has a mental health problem (NHSIC 2009).
The Health Advice Service is primarily for clients with long term health problems who would find it difficult to get to a session or have to wait to be seen. Specific appointments are offered to HAS clients within the surgery setting. Clients can be referred into this service by a health professional at their practice. Although we don't operate from every GP Surgery in the area, we are in many and referral can be made into an alternative location. If you have a problem that is concerning you and you are in regular contact with your GP, ask for a referral into the Health Advice Service.
Site Copyright © Sedgefield and District Citizens Advice Bureau 2011. All rights reserved. Charity registration number 1107261 and Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5246450. The Bureau incorporated on 1st April 2005. Registered Office: 71 High St, Spennymoor DL16 6BB.