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Find ways to improve your wellbeing.

This site offers help with quitting smoking, staying active, and cutting back alcohol and sweet treats.

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We have re-started our face to face appointments for all current clients and new clients. Please call 01243 521041 if you would like to book a session. The first appointment will always be a phone call, followed by face to face appointments if required.

Find local Stop Smoking or NHS Health Check services

What's going on

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We have re-started our face to face appointments for all current clients and new clients. Please call 01243 521041 if you would like to book a session. The first appointment will always be a phone call, followed by face to face appointments if required.

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A brillant app which provides the following:

Crisis Support

Employment, Education and Training

Family Support, Care and Benefits

Health and Wellbeing

Housing and Homelessness

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‎Forces Connect South East (FCSE) is a cross-border partnership created to support the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant and promote a greater understanding and awareness of the issues affecting the Armed Forces Community within public services across the South East. This app aims to produce an eas…

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Bleeding

Use sanitary towels to monitor your bleeding during early medical/abortion pill treatment, and after any abortion treatment.
Bleeding during and after a medical abortion (abortion pill) up to 10 weeks' gestation
The amount and type of bleeding can vary for each person and each abortion. It is normal to experience light, moderate, or heavy bleeding during a medical abortion (see figure below). Not everyone will pass blood clots during a medical abortion, but for those who do, the clots should be no larger than a lemon. It is NOT normal to have no bleeding/scant bleeding or flooding (see figure below) therefore you should telephone BPAS on 0300 333 68 28 for advice if:

24 hours after taking the misoprostol, you do not bleed at all, have spotting/only see blood on a tissue when wiping (see Scant image 1)

You experience heavy bleeding soaking 2 maxi size sanitary pads for 2 hours in a row (see heavy image 4)

Call 999 if y ou experience extremely heavy bleeding (see Flooding image 5) and feel unwell
Bleeding and cramping usually start 2-4 hours after taking misoprostol but sometimes it can take up to a few days for this to happen.
Bleeding after surgical abortion
Once the pregnancy passes, the amount of bleeding should noticeably reduce. Most women have light bleeding for about two weeks, but you may have spotting up to your next period. Sometimes you may have a short episode of pain with a gush of blood or a clot several weeks after the abortion - contact us if this continues. Click here for more information on bleeding after the abortion pill under 10 weeks

Expect to bleed like a normal menstrual period, and you may pass small blood clots. Bleeding usually stops after 1-2 weeks, but some women spot until their next period. Sometimes you may have a short episode of pain, with a gush of blood or a clot several weeks after the abortion - contact us if this continues. A few women don't bleed until their next period is due - and that is normal too.
Call the Aftercare Line on 0300 333 68 28 (or +44 1789 508 210) if you soak 2 or more maxi-size sanitary towels per hour, for 2 hours in a row (see example 3 flooding below).
How much bleeding is too much?
Pain during and after Early Medical Abortion (abortion pill up to 10 weeks)
Pain

Misoprostol (the second medication), causes strong cramps which can be very painful, and heavy bleeding, which can start 2 hours after using the tablets. This lasts a few hours, and is most painful when the pregnancy is being expelled. Many women pass the pregnancy between 2 and 4 hours later - timings vary, but it is OK if this happens sooner or later . You will be given codeine to help you manage the pain, and you can also use pain relief from supermarkets and pharmacies too. Please refer to the 'Pain control' section on the 'Abortion pill under 10 weeks' page, for information about managing your pain

If these medicines do not control your pain, please call the clinic or Aftercare Line on 0300 333 68 28 (or +44 1789 508 210).
Pain after surgical abortion
Once the pregnancy passes, the pain should reduce noticeably. It is likely you will feel cramping on and off for a week or so after - this should be easily managed with ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Most women experience cramping on and off, for about a week after a surgical abortion. You can take ibuprofen and paracetamol if needed. You can buy these over-the-counter pain medicines from a pharmacy, supermarket and other shops without a prescription. There are two strengths of ibuprofen tablets and you should carefully follow the directions that apply for the strength that you take. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be used together if the recommended dose of either medicine alone does not control your pain.

Feelings

After an abortion most women feel relieved, but some also feel sad or guilty. Occasionally, although you feel well physically, perhaps it's a bit of a struggle emotionally.

Would you like to talk but you're afraid that people are fed up with you.... Not sleeping well ... feeling sad ... going over and over things ... worrying that your partner doesn't understand. This is normal and talking through these feelings with an experienced listener can help.

If you need to talk you can make an appointment for post-abortion counselling. This is a free service for women who have had treatment at BPAS. Call us on 03457 30 40 30 (or +44 1789 508 211) to arrange post abortion counselling.

VIDEO: Physical symptoms as your body recovers after an abortion

VIDEO: Your next period after an abortion

Bathing

Take a bath or shower as normal. Take care if you have a bath in the 24 hours following a general anaesthetic. You will need to make sure someone is around to keep an eye on you, in case you still feel drowsy.

Other activities, including work

Most women will be fit and well enough to return to normal activities within a day or two. Our best advice is to rest until you feel able to return to your normal routine.

Sex

Once you feel sufficiently recovered from the abortion you can return to having sex. You can get pregnant almost immediately following an abortion, so it's important to use contraception if you do not want to get pregnant.

Travel

It is best not to travel within 24 hours of treatment. If you must travel just make sure you know how to access emergency services at your destination in case of a complication. Please be aware that, if you are having the abortion pill up to 10 weeks and choose to travel soon after taking the second medication (misoprostol), you may start to have cramps and bleed heavily whilst you are travelling.

Air travel following surgical abortion with sedation and general anaesthetic

Please inform us if you need to fly following your surgery. Flights of 4 hours or more should be avoided for up to 48 hours after receiving a sedative or anaesthetic.

We advise that:

If you need to fly after general anaesthesia/conscious sedation you should only do so, if you flight begins more than 12 hours after receiving your sedative or anaesthetic.

You must be accompanied by a responsible adult who can seek medical help should you become unwell

You should only catch your flight if you feel well and are not experiencing any of these symptoms: dizzy, lightheaded, nausea or vomiting, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain

VIDEO: Unusual or unexpected symptoms after abortion

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Bleeding Use sanitary towels to monitor your bleeding during early medical/abortion pill treatment, and after any abortion treatment. Bleeding during and after a medical abortion (abortion pill) up to 10 weeks' gestation The amount and type of bleeding can vary for each person and each abortion.

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Radio Headspace Rewind: We're All in This Together

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Listen to this episode from Radio Headspace on Spotify. Ten years after we launched Headspace, we're launching our first official podcast. Because now, more than ever, there's so much noise in the world. Most of us don't know how we approach our own minds, thoughts, or feelings.

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A useful place parents in the Army for soldiers and spouses

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A useful place parents in the Army for soldiers and spouses

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Army Parents' Network | The British Army (mod.uk)

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Our self help guides are available to download in several formats. Information available on Abuse, Alcohol, Anxiety, Bereavement, Controlling Anger, Depression, Domestic Violence, Eating Disorders, Hearing Voices, Obsessions and Compulsions, Panic, Post Traumatic Stress, Postnatal Depression, Self Harm, Shyness, Social Anxiety, Sleeping Problems and Stress.

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use this website to find a local GP to register with.

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Find a GP near you on the NHS website. Check your local GPs opening times, services and facilities, performance measures, reviews and ratings.

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Use this NHS website to find a local dentist

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Find a dentist near you on the NHS website. Check your local dentist's opening times, services, facilities, reviews and ratings.

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This site has been experiencing technical difficulties - we're very sorry for the inconvenience. While we're looking into it, if there is specific information you cannot find, you may wish to email scdt.admin@nhs.net or call us on 01273 403693.

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This site has been experiencing technical difficulties - we're very sorry for the inconvenience. While we're looking into it, if there is specific information you cannot find, you may wish to email scdt.admin@nhs.net or call us on 01273 403693.

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Veterans MH services

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Armed forces veterans suffering a mental health crisis will receive specialist care as part of a new Op Courage service launched by NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens today.
Doctors, nurses and other NHS staff will work with military charities to provide therapy, rehab services and, in extreme cases, inpatient care to hundreds of former soldiers, sailors and RAF personnel each year.

Those needing urgent help will receive a same day referral.

The "high intensity" treatment has already been trialled in some areas and will be rolled out across the country by next month as part of Op Courage, which brings together specialist services for veterans.

Involving charities will help NHS staff to understand the experiences and issues faced by those who have risked their lives for their country and may have lost comrades or been injured themselves.

It also helps to integrate veterans with mental ill health back in to everyday life.

Speaking at the annual Kings' Centre for Military Health Research Veterans' mental health conference at King's College London, NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens is expected to say: "We owe a special debt of gratitude to those who risk all for their country and the NHS is determined to do its part in honouring that.

"Anyone can be affected by mental ill health but armed forces veterans may have seen and experienced things that few others - thankfully - will.

"That can create a special set of challenges which working with military charities helps to overcome and that it what is at the heart of Op Courage - ensuring that the NHS is a National Hero Service."

Over the last two years the health service has expanded mental health services as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.

More than 13,000 former troops have benefited from specialist care for lower level problems such as anxiety and depression.

Almost 2,000 more have received help for more complex problems such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The new service, which is expected to treat around 500 people a year, will focus on those in crisis, at risk of self-harm or suicide, or suffering other problems such as homelessness and addiction.

It is being rolled out after trials involving almost 200 former servicemen and women.

Veterans will be able to access any of the three tiers of treatment from a single Op Courage service in each of the seven NHS regions.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Johnny Mercer, said: "One of the biggest challenges we face with veterans mental healthcare in this country is making sure those who need help know where to turn.

"Op Courage, a collaborative piece of work between NHS England and the Office for Veterans Affairs, will provide a clear single route for accessing specialist care.

"Looking after our veterans is a national responsibility in which we all have a role to play. We all have a duty to ensure Op Courage is known about and understood up and down this country. Help is available; you can get better. Speak up. Have courage."

Op Courage is part of a nine-point NHS plan to support the Armed Forces.

Other commitments laid out in the plan include ensuring access to quality secondary care, reducing healthcare inequalities, helping with the transition to civilian life and increased support for vets' families, children and carers.

NHS England Director of Health and Justice and Armed Forces, Kate Davies CBE, said: "This is a significant step forward in our work to help the veterans most in need who may have historically slipped through the net and we are excited to outline these nine commitments as part of the NHS Long Term Plan to improve veteran healthcare.

"Op Courage is a great initiative that we have developed in collaboration with veterans to bring three mental health services under one umbrella to make it easier to access for the 2.4 million vets around England who may need it."

There are around 2.4 million veterans living in the UK and around one in 20 will suffer from PTSD. A smaller number will have severe and complex mental health needs.

Case study

Former Royal Marine Anthony Muckell was one veteran able to get his life back on track following an intervention from the High Intensity Service.

He said: "At my lowest point I attempted suicide twice, spent time in a psychiatric hospital and then prison: this led to me losing my job and homelessness.

"I was unable to explain what was wrong with me which meant that I didn't get the help I needed, which meant giving up on life.

"Any veterans, or families of veterans, that need help should make the NHS Veterans' Service their first point of call. The people that work there really do understand our needs and the help we need. If you know a veteran in need then please help them make contact with their local NHS Veterans' Service."

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NHS launches 'Op Courage' veterans' mental health service

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Armed forces veterans suffering a mental health crisis will receive specialist care as part of a new Op Courage service launched by NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens today. Doctors, nurses and other NHS staff will work with military charities to provide therapy, rehab services and, in extreme cases, inpatient care to hundreds of former soldiers, sailors and RAF personnel each year.