News

Healthwatch Barnet says, “Stay well, Barnet!”

7th March 2022

The partners of Barnet Together are supporting Healthwatch Barnet to reach communities across Barnet and support them with your health queries. 

Following the challenges faced by our local NHS services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, health services are finally open and available to those who need support. In association with North Central London CCG (NCL CCG) Healthwatch Barnet is working to ensure that everyone in Barnet is equipped with the information they need to stay well from now until the summer. 

“There are lots of ways to protect yourself and your family from illness” says Melvin Lyons, project lead. “For example, we want everyone in the borough to be fully vaccinated against COVID 19 and flu. We’ve got all the details on our website about how and where to go, and even what to do if you really, really don’t like needles.”

“We know from recent outreach work that many people are concerned they can’t get an appointment with their GP. A key part of our message is to provide reassurance that the NHS is fully open for business, and to inform everyone of the different ways to access healthcare, whether that means a call to 111, a trip to a walk-in clinic, or booking an evening or weekend appointment (evening and weekend GP appointments are available seven days a week at GP hubs across Barnet).

“This can be a difficult time of year for those with young children, who are prey to coughs, colds and chest infections. We have information to help parents get the right medical support when needed, with resources in more than half a dozen different languages.

“We know too that for people newly arrived in this country, understanding how the NHS works can sometimes be a challenge, so we’re reaching out to different communities across Barnet with written information, again in different languages, and via in-person events.

“In fact, I’m available to come to meetings, community groups, and other gatherings to talk to people about all the different ways the NHS is there to help us, whether with physical or mental health.”

For more information, contact Melvin on melvin@inclusionbarnet.org.uk or leave a message on the Healthwatch Barnet number 020 3475 1308.

See their latest resource below or download the PDF here to help you find the best support for you in Barnet!