- Aged 16 or over
- Live in County Durham or Darlington
- Experiencing a common mental health problem such as; depression, generalized anxiety, specific phobias, panic, obsessive compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder for example.
- Not already accessing adult mental health service
Register with a GP
GP Finder website
GP’s are there to help and support with all aspects of emotional wellbeing and mental health support. They are often the first point of entry for a range of support services this includes access to talking therapies and more specialist provision.
Contact your local GP directly. If you are unsure of who your GP provider is use the GP Finder website
Talking Changes
Talking Changes can be accessed through a self-referral or by your GP.
Talking changes offers free and confidential talking therapies and counselling to those who are:
- When you have found a practice you like, you will have to formally register with it as an NHS patient by submitting a registration form to them.
- The GMS1 registration form is available at the practice, or you can download it from GOV.UK.
- Forms may vary slightly, and some practices use their own version.
- When you have completed and returned the form, NHS England will transfer your medical records to your new practice and write to you to confirm your registration as a patient with that practice.
- If you're registering a child under 5, you'll have the option of registering them for the Child Health Promotion Programme.
- This means your child will be invited for regular health and development checks. Ask the practice for more details.
If you have no proof of address or identification
- Some GP practices may ask for proof of identity when you register, especially when you register children in your care.
- This may be used to check your details match with the information held on the NHS central patient registry and that your previous medical notes are passed on to the new practice.
- You should not be refused registration or appointments because you do not have a proof of address or personal identification at hand. It is not considered a reasonable ground to refuse registration.
- This also applies if you are an asylum seeker, refugee, homeless patient or overseas visitor, whether lawfully in the UK or not.
- If you fall under one of the above-mentioned patient groups, download one of the "How to register with a GP" patient leaflets below and bring it with you when you register with a GP practice.
- If you have problems registering with the practice, there's advice on what do to and where to go for further support.
Leaflet for homeless patients (PDF, 352kb)
NHS - how to register with a doctor if you are homeless.
Leaflet for asylum seekers and refugees (PDF, 462kb)
NHS - how to register with a doctor if you are an asylum seeker or refugee.
Information for visitors from abroad about using the NHS (PDF, 337kb)
NHS - information for visitors from abroad.
Drugs & Alcohol Treatments
Humankind
New College work directly to support students who have issues with drugs or alcohol. We work with Humankind a charity who supports adults and young people with substance misuse.
Support staff in College can refer you directly to these services, alternatively you can contact them to arrange an appointment.
The following websites provide more information on drugs, alcohol, treatment services and national policy:
NHS - Drug addiction: getting help
With the right help and support, it's possible for you to get drug free and stay that way.
NHS - Alcohol support
Calculate your units, read about the health risks of drinking too much alcohol and find out where to get help and support.
Change4life - don’t let drink sneak up on you
Cutting down on alcohol doesn’t have to be hard. Use the simple drinks checker and get tips on ways to cut back.
Talk to Frank - drugs A to Z
drugs A to Z on the Talk to Frank website is an easy-to-use guide on illegal drugs, their effects and their risks.
Adfam
Get help, support and advice from Adfam the leading national organisation working with and for families affected by drugs and alcohol.
Rehab Online
Rehab Online is a directory of residential rehabilitation services for adult drug and/or alcohol misuses in England and Wales. It will give you information about these services, whether you are a member of the public, a professional or a service user.
Contraception & Sexual Health Services
Please note that due to the current closure of the college none of the in College services are currently in operation.
Sexual Health - College Services (open during term time only)
C-Card
The College run a confidential C-Card Service (free condoms, lubricant and dental dams) for any student who is under the age of 25 years. Students sign up for a C-Card and can come to the Students’ Union Office to get free condoms. They can also provide postal screening packs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.
Pregnancy Testing
The Students’ Union offer confidential pregnancy testing and referral to termination of pregnancy services. Please note that this is an appointment only service.
Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic
The College in partnership with the NHS run a Contraceptive and Sexual Health (CASH) clinic once a week. The clinic runs from 11:30am until 1:30pm every Tuesday in term time and is held in the Students’ Union Office in the Sport and Music Building (SP0:10). They offer a range of contraception services and sexual health screening, including rapid HIV testing. Please note that they cannot carry out implant and coil fittings or removals at this clinic. They also offer pregnancy testing.
Sexual Health - External Services
Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic (CASH)
If you require contraception you can either access it via your GP or at one of several contraception and sexual health clinics (CASH) across County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust. CASH clinic appointments are bookable on a central telephone number booking system and can be arranged by dialling:
GUM Services
Sexual Health Services have been scaled down with venues being closed or relocated and staff being resourced to alternative venues. We are also mindful of the need for social distancing. As such we are no longer able to provide walk-in or face-to-face services in a regular manner.
All patients requiring advice will undergo full clinical triage by phone with a qualified staff member in a timescale appropriate to their need.
Sexual Health Services have been scaled down with venues being closed or relocated and staff being resourced to alternative venues. We are also mindful of the need for social distancing. As such we are no longer able to provide walk-in or face-to-face services in a regular manner.
All patients requiring advice will undergo full clinical triage by phone with a qualified staff member in a timescale appropriate to their need.
Telephone Lines:
County Durham North Sexual Health Hub (GUM): 0191 333 2660