THE NHS is “in bad shape for winter”, experts warn as figures show A&E departments are busier than ever.
The Royal College of Nursing said the health service is “hurtling towards another winter crisis”.
Dr Zoe gives advice to a reader who is concerned about NHS waiting lists[/caption]
Hospitals and ambulance services are plunged into difficulty every year and this season is set to bring more of the same.
Medical director of NHS England, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, admitted it will be “incredibly busy”.
Last year, three in 10 casualty visitors waited more than four hours to be seen and a near-record 54,000 languished for 12 hours or more in January.
NHS statistics showed today that 2.21million people went to A&E last month, the highest ever for September.
Q: HOW can we get help with trauma regarding sexual abuse when NHS mental health services have such long waiting lists?
A: While long wait times can be discouraging, remember you are not alone and there is still support available.
Many charities and support organisations, such as Rape Crisis or SurvivorsUK, offer free, confidential support, including counselling.
Some local groups also provide trauma-specific therapy or peer support.
Additionally, online platforms such as Mind and Samaritans can offer immediate emotional support.
Even while waiting for NHS services, you can reach out – there are caring professionals who can guide you through this.
Your healing matters and support is out there.
Health tip
More research has shown that women would prefer to have DIY cervical screening, carried out at home.
Queen Mary University of London found that 85 per cent of females would like the option to choose, and 69 per cent would pick self-sampling.
This could potentially boost the uptake of cervical screening.
However, it won’t be offered for a long time yet, so my tip is to book your cervical screening when invited.
Unfortunately, one in three women are not up to date with their test.
I get it, women are busy, and it’s a pain to go to the GP surgery.
But it could prevent you from getting cervical cancer.
Remember, screening detects abnormal cells before they even turn into cancer – so don’t miss it.
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
