Wellbeing

Abuse

Harrow Council: Domestic Violence

Please visit the Harrow Council: Domestic Violence page below for details of domestic violence support and how to contact them.

Website: www.harrow.gov.uk


National Domestic Violence Helpline

The Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge, is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf.

Telephone: 0808 2000 247

Website: www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk


National Helplines


Harrow Women’s Centre

We are here to respect, help and support women.

Telephone: 020 8422 1100

Website: www.harrowwomenscentre.org

Email: [email protected]


Women’s Aid

Since 1974, we have been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic abuse.

Telephone: 0808 2000 247

Website: www.womensaid.org.uk

Email: [email protected]

Asthma and COPD

Asthma UK: Your Action Plan

Not sure what medicines to take and when, or what to do if you start having symptoms? Don’t want to end up in hospital with an asthma attack? There’s good evidence to show that a written asthma action plan, which your GP or asthma nurse should complete with you, is the best thing you can do to keep well with your asthma.

Telephone: 0300 222 5800

Website: www.asthma.org.uk


British Lung Foundation: COPD Support

COPD describes a group of lung conditions that make it difficult to empty air out of the lungs because your airways have been narrowed. This information explains what it is, what the symptoms are, and how it’s diagnosed and treated.

Telephone: 03000 030 555

Website: www.blf.org.uk

Bereavement

Harrow Bereavement Care

At Bereavement Care our team of trained volunteers are here to support adults and children in the London Boroughs of Harrow and Hillingdon and the surrounding area who would like some help in coping with their bereavement.

Telephone: 020 8427 5720

Website: www.bereavementcareandsupport.co.uk

Email: [email protected]


Cruse Bereavement Care

Cruse Bereavement Care is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We offer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies and work to enhance society’s care of bereaved people.

Telephone: 0808 808 1677

Website: www.cruse.org.uk

Carers Support

A guide for Carers in Harrow

Three out of five people will become carers at some point during their lifetime, and every day another 6,000 take on a caring responsibility and start to care for a family member or friend.

A guide for Carers in Harrow


Carers UK

They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org


Harrow Carers

Our overall aim is to improve the wellbeing and resilience of carers from all ages and backgrounds, so that they can continue to provide for their cared-for without compromising their health, inclusion and ability to contribute to society. We are preventative and responsive in meeting carers needs, and the voice of carers shape our services.

Telephone: 020 8868 5224

Website: www.harrowcarers.org

Email: [email protected]


A Practical Guide to Healthy Caring

The advice in this booklet will help you if you look after a friend or family member or have any form of caring responsibilities, but it is written to be particularly relevant for those who are about 65 years or older and are new to caring.

Booklet

Child Health

Breastfeeding Support

We offer support to all mothers, whether breastfeeding, mixed feeding or formula feeding, and we offer specialist support to mothers under the age of 25. Please do get in touch if you wish to know more about this.

National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0210

Website: www.breastfeedinginharrow.org

Email: [email protected]


When Should I Worry?

Your guide to Coughs, Colds, Earache & Sore Throats

Download


NSPCC

If you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, contact NSPCC professional counsellors for help, advice and support.

Helpline: 0808 800 5000


The Local Offer

Harrow’s Local Offer provides information about services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. There is information about support available across education, health and social care with information on how to access services.

Website: www.harrow.gov.uk/localoffer


Migrant Vaccinations

Moved to the UK: Get up-to-date with your vaccinations.

Website: www.assets.publishing.service.gov.uk


Childhood illness visual guide

Use this visual guide to help you identify common conditions and illnesses that may affect your child. Includes conditions such as measles, slapped cheek syndrome, chicken pox and warts.

Website: NHS: Visual Guide for Childhood illnesses


Children’s Centres in Harrow

Find out more about Hillview Hub, Cedars Hub and Wealdstone Youth Hub.

Website: https://www.harrow.gov.uk/childrens-social-care/childrens-hubs


Harrow Horizons Counselling

Offering mental health and therapeutic support, including early intervention, for those at risk of homelessness and other harmful behaviours. Provides counselling, information, advice and guidance on recovering and rebuilding family relationships.

Telephone: 0208 427 1322

Website: www.barnardos.org.uk

Email: [email protected]


Early Support Children’s Centres

Harrow Children’s Centres have released a helpful timetable for their services with advice and guidance. They can be viewed on the pinned post of their facebook page.


How To Help Your Unwell Child

For parents and carers of children under five years old.

Website: www.cc4c.imperial.nhs.uk


Vaccination planner

Download a personalised vaccination calendar, which highlights the dates your child needs to have their vaccinations by.

Download from: NHS: Vaccination Schedule

Drugs and Alcohol

Drinkaware Online Tools & Apps

Online trackers and apps from Drinkaware to help you avoid harm from alcohol.

Download from: www.drinkaware.co.uk


Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Telephone: 0800 917 7650

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Email: [email protected]


Drinkline

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence.

Telephone: 0300 123 1110


Talk to Frank

If you have a problem with drugs Talk to Frank for friendly, confidential drugs advice.

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Text: 82111

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Email: [email protected]


One You Days Off – Mobile App

The One You Days Off app is a simple and easy way to track the days you drink alcohol and the days you don’t.

Download from: Google Play: One You Days Off

Download from: iTunes: One You Days Off

Diabetes

Diabetes UK: Harrow and District Group

Our aim is to provide help and support to people living with diabetes in and around Harrow. We do this through monthly meetings providing a safe, social forum to discuss diabetes and its effects. We also try to raise money to promote awareness of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Telephone: 020 8428 1446

Website: www.harrow.diabetesukgroup.org

Email: [email protected]


Know Diabetes

Welcome to Know Diabetes

This website is for people with diabetes living in Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Ealing, Hounslow, Brent, Hillingdon and Harrow.

Know Diabetes houses over 200 resources – videos, games, online courses and leaflets to help you self-manage your diabetes.

Website: knowdiabetes.org.uk


National Diabetes Prevention Programme

Your local Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is here to support people at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Telephone: 0333 577 3010

Website: www.preventing-diabetes.co.uk


Specialist talk on Pre-Diabetes in Harrow

Watch the Video

Depression, Anxiety and Stress

Mind in Harrow

Mind in Harrow is a mental health organisation started in the 1960’s and has expanded to provide a range of services. We currently employ a team of 20 staff and have the support of 60 volunteers. We are an independent charity affiliated to National Mind and are part of a network of 200 Local Mind Associations across the country.

Telephone: 020 8426 0929

Website: www.mindinharrow.org.uk

Email: [email protected]


Single Point of Access – Mental Health Services

Single Point of Access (SPA) provides a first point of contact for people wishing to access adult community mental health services in Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.

Telephone: 0800 0234 650

Website: www.cnwl.nhs.uk

Email: [email protected]


Calm Harm App

Worried about self-harm? Calm Harm is an award-winning app developed using the basic principles of a therapy called Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). Calm Harm provides tasks to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm.

Website: www.calmharm.co.uk


Happy Maps

Happy Maps has been created to provide support for parents and carers who are worried about their child’s behaviour or mental health and not sure what’s normal. HappyMaps will signpost you to books, websites, counselling services and parents groups so you can find help and support for you and your child, teenager or young adult.

Website: www.happymaps.co.uk


Kooth

Kooth.com is a website you can use to get advice, support and guidance from qualified counsellors via a live chat service, or from young people your own age via moderated forums, for any problem, no matter how big or small.

Website: kooth.com


Samaritans

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Telephone: 116 123

Website: www.samaritans.org

Email: [email protected]


Big White Wall

This is an online community that provides support to people who are anxious, down or not coping. Big White Wall is anonymous and free to access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Telephone : 02036911955

Website: www.bigwhitewall.co.uk

Email: [email protected]


Young Minds

We are leading the fight for the future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.

Website: www.youngminds.org.uk


Chill Panda App

Learn to relax, manage your worries and improve your wellbeing with Chill Panda. The app measures your heart rate and suggests tasks to suit your state of mind. Tasks include simple breathing techniques and light exercises to take your mind off your worries.

Website: www.nhs.uk/chill-panda


Mind

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Telephone: 0300 123 3393

Website: www.mind.org.uk


Rethink

Rethink provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.

Telephone: 0300 5000 927

Website: www.rethink.org

Email: [email protected]

Elderly Care

Harrow Memory Services

Harrow Memory Services provide assessment and diagnosis of dementia and provide ongoing support and information to people with memory problems and their carers.

Telephone: 020 8424 7765

Website: www.cnwl.nhs.uk

Email: [email protected]


Dementia

Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org


Blue Badge/Freedom Pass and Taxi Cards

A single assessment was introduced in August 2011 to simplify the application process for Blue Badges, Taxicards and Freedom Passes.

Website: www.harrow.gov.uk


Parkinson’s UK: Harrow Branch

We offer information, friendship and support to local people with Parkinson’s, their families and carers.

We also organise regular events and social activities. Join us – and meet other people affected by Parkinson’s in your area.

Telephone: 0344 225 3704

Website: localsupport.parkinsons.org.uk

Email: [email protected]


Age UK

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.

Telephone: 0800 169 2081

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk


Annie’s Place for Dementia Sufferers

Annie’s Place is Harrow Council’s new drop-in service offering advice and support for people who have been recently diagnosed with dementia and their carers.

Annie’s Place Poster


Apply for adult social care

If you have care and support needs or know someone who finds it difficult to look after themselves, we may be able to provide you with some support. To determine if we can help we will carry out a needs assessment.

Website: www.harrow.gov.uk


Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

End of Life Care

St Lukes Hospice

St Luke’s is the local hospice for Harrow and Brent. We care for people whose illnesses are no longer curable, enabling them to achieve the best possible quality of life.

Telephone: 020 8382 8000

Website: www.stlukes-hospice.org

Email: [email protected]


Dying Matters

Dying Matters is a coalition of individual and organisational members across England and Wales, which aims to help people talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life.

Telephone: 0800 021 4466

Website: www.dyingmatters.org


Single Point of Access

We have a single point of access for support in End of Life Care in Harrow that patients can access if referred by their GP

The Single Point of Access (SPA) Service is based at St Luke’s Hospice and is available to patients, carers and Health Care Professionals who need advice and support regarding End of Life Care.

Telephone: 0300 0200 224

Website: www.stlukes-hospice.org

Email: [email protected]


Co-ordinate My Care

We work to empower patients to have choices about the care they receive and to make those choices known to those who care for them. We look to continually link up the organisations and individuals that provide care for a patient, such as doctors, nurses, social care providers and emergency services including the ambulance service, NHS 111 and the out of hours GP service.

Telephone: 020 7811 8513

Website: www.coordinatemycare.co.uk

Email: [email protected]


Dementia UK

Dementia UK provides specialist dementia support for families through our Admiral Nurse service.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

Email: [email protected]

Health Screening

Breast Cancer Screening – The Mammogram

This is currently offered to women aged 50 to 70 in England. You’ll first be invited for screening between your 50th and 53rd birthday by post. You may be eligible for breast screening before the age of 50 if you have a very high risk of developing breast cancer. If you’re over the age of 70, you’ll stop receiving screening invitations but can still have screening after 70 if you want to.

Telephone: 020 3758 2024

Website: www.nhs.uk


Cervical Cancer Screening – The Smear Test

The surgery takes part in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. Women aged 25 to 49 are invited every 3 years for their smear test and women aged 50 to 64 are invited every 5 years. Women over 65 are only invited if they have had recently had abnormal tests.

Website: www.nhs.uk


Prostate Cancer and the PSA Test

There’s currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK as it has not been proved that the benefits would outweigh the risks. PSA tests are unreliable and can suggest prostate cancer when no cancer exists. Furthermore, up to 15% of men with prostate cancer have normal PSA levels so cases can be missed. There is no national screening programme, however there is an informed choice programme for healthy men aged 50 or over. You may ask your GP to give you advice on the pros and cons of a PSA test and if you wish, the PSA blood test can be arranged for you. If results show you have a raised level of PSA, your GP will likely suggest further tests.

Website: www.nhs.uk


High Blood Pressure Screening

We encourage patients to proactively use our automated blood pressure machine at the surgery. Follow signs from reception to the blood pressure checking area.


Bowel Cancer Screening

NHS bowel cancer screening is only offered to people aged 55 or over, as this is when you’re more likely to get bowel cancer. If you’re 55, you’ll automatically be invited for a one-off bowel scope screening test. If you’re 60 to 74, you’ll automatically be invited to do a home testing kit every 2 years. If you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a home testing kit every 2 years.

Telephone: 0800 707 60 60

Website: www.nhs.uk


Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening – Ultrasound scan

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of checking if there’s a bulge or swelling in the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from your heart down through your tummy. This bulge or swelling is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA. It can be serious if it’s not spotted early on because it could get bigger and eventually burst (rupture). As this is more common in men, screening is offered to men aged 65 and over by post. If you are a man over 65 and have not been screened before you can request this by contacting the local AAA screening programme:

Telephone: 0333 009 6971

Website: www.nhs.uk


Latent Tuberculosis Screening

New patients registering at the surgery who are aged 15-35 and who have come to the UK within the past 5 years from a high risk country will be invited to have screening for tuberculosis. If you have latent TB, you have TB bacteria ‘asleep’ in your body that can ‘wake up’ and make you ill with active TB. If latent TB is found, having treatment now help prevent getting active TB in the future. If you are eligible and have not been offered screening please speak to your GP.

Website: www.thetruthabouttb.org

High Cholesterol

Should I Take a Statin? Patient Decision Aid

This decision aid is intended to help you to make up your mind whether or not to take a statin to help reduce your risk of having a heart attack or developing angina (together called coronary heart disease or CHD), or of having a stroke. Your decision depends on several things that this information will help to explain. Different people will feel that some of these things are more important to them than others, so it is important that you make a decision that is right for you.

Download


Useful Information

Cholesterol is a fatty substance known as a lipid and is vital for the normal functioning of the body. It’s mainly made by the liver, but can also be found in some foods.

Having an excessively high level of lipids in your blood (hyperlipidemia) can have an effect on your health.

High cholesterol itself doesn’t usually cause any symptoms, but it increases your risk of serious health conditions.

More information

Joint Health

Joint Replacement App

This App provides you with relevant information relating to hip or knee replacement as well as knee arthroscopy. It can serve as a guide to an upcoming surgical procedure. It outlines the treatment pathway, gives you important reminders for relevant required actions and addresses commonly asked questions.

Download from: www.patientjourneyapp.com


Arthritis Research UK

Everything we do is driven by knowledge to positively impact on what matters to people with arthritis.

Our long term commitment is to:

  • prevent the onset of arthritis
  • develop a cure for arthritis
  • transform the lives of those with arthritis.

Telephone: 0800 5200 520

Website: www.arthritisresearchuk.org

Email: [email protected]


Post Covid-19 physiotherapy advice and exercise programme

As you recover from COVID-19, the information in this leaflet about breathing techniques, general mobility and strengthening exercises will help to improve your day-to-day function.


Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Download leaflets and guides with great physio advice on a range of health issues.

Website: www.csp.org.uk


Self-Physiotherapy Leaflets

If your doctor or nurse has has advised you to carry out guided home exercises for your joint condition, download the appropriate sheet from the list below.


Back Pain and Cauda Equina Syndrome

Many patients have a combination of back pain, leg pain, leg numbness and weakness. These symptoms can be distressing for you but don’t necessarily require emergency medical attention.

A rare but serious back condition, Cauda Equina Syndrome, can lead to permanent damage or disability and will need to be seen by an emergency specialist spinal team.

Please familiarise yourself with the following warning signs for Cauda Equina Syndrome with the downloadable information card below:

Should you experience any combination of the above warning signs, please seek assistance from the local Accident and Emergency Department (A&E).

Maternity / Pregnancy

North West London Pregnancy and Maternity Services

The NHS in North West London is dedicated to ensuring that women have access to the highest possible quality of care throughout their pregnancy and birth.

In North West London there are six hospitals where you can give birth:

  • Chelsea and Westminster or West Middlesex Hospital
  • Hillingdon
  • Northwick Park
  • Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea or St Mary’s

See the link below for more information on pregnancy and maternity services in North West London, choosing where to give birth, what to expect in pregnancy and more.

https://www.nwlondonicb.nhs.uk/your-health-services/pregnancy-and-maternity-services?back_cID=286

Mum & Baby App

The innovative mum and baby app is the quickest way to self-refer yourself to maternity services in Northwest London and you do not need to wait to see a GP for this. You will find up-to-date maternity services in formation to confidently make choices about your care. There is a wealth of pregnancy information and you can even co-create your digital maternity plan. It is free to download from the App Store or Google play.

Website: https://mumandbaby.uk/

Youtube: https://youtu.be/n8GG3Z3BmZw?si=rbrPA7g77M46monP

Download from Apple

Download from Google



Northwick Park Hospital Maternity Services

Once you know you are pregnant you should contact us as soon as possible to ensure you have full access to our antenatal screening services.

Telephone: 020 8869 2868

Website: https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk/maternity


Baby Buddy App

Baby Buddy is an award winning mobile phone app for new parents and parents-to-be, created by mums, doctors and midwives.

Website: https://www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/baby-buddy

Download from: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.org.bestbeginnings.babybuddymobile&hl=en

Download from: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/baby-buddy-pregnancy-parent/id1548271681

Neurological Support

Headway – Harrow Support Group

Started in 1997, this voluntary group offers emotional and practical support, and provides a relaxed, friendly environment where people with an acquired / traumatic brain injury, their families or carers, and interested professionals can meet.

Telephone: 07726 325222

Website: www.headwaynorthwestlondon.org.uk

Email: [email protected]


Harrow MS Therapy Centre

Since 1984, Harrow MS Therapy Centre has helped people in the north west London area with multiple sclerosis to improve their quality of life.

Telephone: 020 8423 6268

Website: harrowmscentre.co.uk

Sexual Health

Caryl Thomas Clinic

Services provided but not limited to:

Free condoms
Emergency contraception
Pregnancy testing
Sexual health information and advice
Full testing and treatment for STIs
Hepatitis B vaccination

Website: www.nwlondonsexualhealth.nhs.uk

Telephone: 020 3893 8575


Sexwise

We’re here to give you honest advice about contraception, pregnancy, STIs and sexual wellbeing.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Website: www.sexwise.fpa.org.uk


Sexual Health Help Line

The Family Planning Association Sexual health help line can give you confidential information and advice.

Telephone: 0845 122 8690


Family Planning Association

They are a sexual health charity. They give straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Website: www.fpa.org.uk

Leaflet and Booklet Downloads


Smear Test Campaign


Sexual Health London

If you are free of symptoms but would like screening for sexually transmitted infections order your free self-sampling kit here.

Website: www.shl.uk


Brook

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.

Website: www.brook.org.uk

Seasonal Health

Keeping Well in the Winter

Coughs and colds tend to become more prevalent in the upcoming winter months.
Some of these illnesses may be due to an underlying serious cause, which would prompt you to see a doctor. Please see the treatment centre webpage for more information on this.
However, most coughs and colds are due to self-limiting viral infections, for which antibiotics are not necessary, and self-care measures are usually sufficient.
This leaflet produced by Public Health England has information on how to care for yourself during your infection. It has helpful self-management advice and also guidance on when you may need to seek help from a health professional if your infection does not seem to be improving.
www.rcgp.org.uk


Hay Fever

Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it is warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.

Information Leaflet

Stop Smoking

Harrow Council Stop Smoking Service

Stopping smoking is one of the most important and worthwhile decisions you will ever make. No matter how long you have smoked for, quitting can help both your physical and mental health immediately.

Telephone: 0300 123 1044

Website: www.harrow.gov.uk


Quit smoking with your free Personal Quit Plan

You’re more likely to quit with the right support. Find out the combination that’s right for you in just 3 easy steps.

Website: www.nhs.uk/smokefree


Harrow Recovery Centre

You can find more information about quitting at www.wdp.org.uk

Travel

We do not offer a travel clinic at the surgery but are able to offer the following vaccines under the NHS:

  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid
  • Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio

These appointments must be booked 4 weeks in advance with the practice nurse to ensure timely order and delivery of the vaccine. We are unable to accommodate any requests less than 4 weeks and you may be directed to a private travel clinic.

Please look at the following useful resource to check what vaccinations and precautions including malaria prophylaxis you may need for safe travel

www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home

If malaria prevention treatment is recommended then you should consult with your local pharmacy or a private travel clinic including vaccination for yellow fever or rabies.

Fear of Flying 

Patients come to us, asking us to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying. There are a number of very good reasons why prescribing this drug is not recommended. 

1) Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. If there is an emergency during the flight it may impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react to the situation. This could have serious safety consequences for you and those around you. 

2) Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however when you do sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This can cause you to be at increased risk of developing a blood clot (DVT) in the leg or even the lung. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is greater than 4 hours. 

3) Whilst most people find benzodiazepines like diazepam sedating, a small number have paradoxical agitation and increased aggression. They can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally. This could impact on your safety as well as that of other passengers and could also get you into trouble with the law.

4) According to the prescribing guidelines doctors follow (BNF) Benzodiazepines are contraindicated (not allowed) in treating phobia. Your doctor would be taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should be getting proper care and support for your mental health and not going on a flight. 

5) Diazepam and similar drugs are illegal in a number of countries. They may be confiscated or you may find yourself in trouble with the police. 

6) Diazepam stays in your system for quite a while. If your job requires you to submit to random drug testing you may fail this having taken diazepam.

We appreciate that fear of flying is very real and very frightening. A much better approach is to tackle this properly with a Fear of Flying course run by the airlines. We have listed a number of these below. 

Easy Jet http://www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com
British Airways http://www.flyingwithconfidence.com/courses/venues/glasgow 

Virgin https://www.flyingwithoutfear.co.uk/fear-of-flying-courses/adult-course/

Weight Management

Am I a Healthy Weight – BMI calculator

Calculate your BMI using this NHS Choices Tool

Website: NHS: BMI Calculator


Free community based weight management services

Shape up

Weight management and guided exercise service aiming for weight loss over 12 weeks for people 18-65 yrs. Includes 45 minutes of fun, guided group exercise at an appropriate level for overweight people. Suitable for participants who have a basic level of mobility (can walk and move around freely).

Website and self referral: www.shapeupharrow.com/do-i-qualify

National Diabetes Prevention Programme

Suitable for patients at risk of diabetes. Please contact your GP for a referral.

Website: preventing-diabetes.co.uk/about-us

NHS Digital weight management programme

Suitable for patients with high blood pressure and/or diabetes. This online service is only for people with a smartphone or with a computer with internet access. Please contact your GP for a referral.

Website: www.england.nhs.uk/digital-weight-management


Open access ways to keep healthy and active in Harrow

Free cooking courses provided by London Community Kitchen

Suitable for adults in Harrow who are 19 and over. Learn how to use fresh ingredients and cook on a budget in 6 weekly sessions.

Email: [email protected]

Harrow Park Run

Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/harrow

Walking for Health

Website: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk

Parks Outdoor Gyms

Website: www.harrow.gov.uk/health-leisure/outdoor-gyms


Established weight management services which have an associated cost

Slimming World

You’ll find delicious recipe and menu ideas at your local group, along with all the help you need to get started and reach your target weight.

Website: www.slimmingworld.co.uk

Weight Watchers

Meetings, Online or a little bit of both. We’ve got options and support, whatever your lifestyle.

Website: www.weightwatchers.com