The early years are a crucial period of development for children. It is important that children adopt positive eating and activity behaviours because we know that behaviours set in childhood are carried into adulthood.
Breast feeding has many health benefits for mother and child. The Breastfeeding Network Portsmouth offers support groups and events – see support group times and locations.
The NHS Healthier Families website has tips on how to eat better and move more for families including healthier food swaps, easy activity ideas and a sugar calculator.
Portsmouth Wellbeing Service supports Portsmouth residents to quit smoking, drink less alcohol and achieve a healthy weight through eating well and moving more.
The Wellbeing Service operates from venues across Portsmouth and is a free service, offering one-to-one appointments, group sessions and drop-in clinics.
Tackling unhealthy behaviours can have a real impact on someone’s life, helping to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, liver disease, respiratory disease and heart disease and enabling them to live a healthier, more fulfilled life, for longer.
You can contact the service directly on 023 9229 4001 or wellbeing@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. Your GP can also refer you.
Vaccinations are a safe and effective way to protect people against potentially damaging and life-threatening diseases.
Find out more about vaccinations by reading the NHS vaccination schedule.
Health screening tests are routine tests that help finding out if people have a higher chance of having a health problem, so that early treatment can be offered or information given to help them make informed decisions.
Screening programmes can improve health, prevent disability, and save thousands of lives each year.
There are different types of screening offered by the NHS including antenatal and new-born screening as well as screening offered to young persons and adults.
Find out more about the different types of health screening.
The Recovery Hub, run by The Society of St James, provides access to a wide range of support for people experiencing problems with their substance use. The service is open access so appointments are not necessary – people can just come in and speak to a member of staff who will be able to help them access the support they need.
The Recovery Hub is based at:
Campion Place
44-46 Elm Grove
Portsmouth
PO5 1JX
It’s open from 9am-5pm, Monday – Thursday, and 9am-4.30pm on Friday. You can also contact the service on 023 9229 4573.
The Drug and Alcohol Support Service (DASS) works with young people under 19 in Portsmouth who are using substances.
A young person can contact DASS directly if they want support, or an adult can contact the service on behalf of the young person if they have their permission.
Young people, parents or professionals can contact DASS via dass@secure.portsmouthcc.gov.uk or 07951 497898.
The Sexual Health services for Portsmouth are located at St Mary’s Health Campus, and offer advice and support with positive diagnoses, medication, and contraception. Visitors are treated with dignity and respect, and offered a high level of service, care, and treatment in a welcoming and friendly environment.
The service offers a mix of both drop-in and appointment only slots. Free STI test kits, Chlamydia test kits and condoms are available to order through online via your Personal Health Record.
For more information on clinics or appointments, call 0300 300 2016 or visit Let’s Talk About It.
You can also visit our sexual health webpage for more information.
Symptoms of the menopause and perimenopause can have a big impact on your life, including relationships and work. Treatment and local support services are available, including the Portsmouth Menopause Support Group – a group set up by a local resident to support other women experiencing menopause and perimenopause. Read more about menopause and perimenopause.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, you can call the Samaritans free anytime, from any phone on 116 123. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If you need medical support and feel it can’t wait until your GP surgery reopens you can call 111 – the NHS non-emergency number. They now have specialist mental health nurses who can support you. These nurses can support both adults and young people. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is free from any phone. If it’s an emergency, call an ambulance using 999.
If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide, Amparo is a support service which provides practical and emotional support after bereavement. The experienced Liaison Workers can listen to your needs and assist you in accessing the support you need, whilst helping with a range of practical matters such as: dealing with police and coroners; helping with media enquiries; and preparing for and attending inquest.
To make a referral, call 0300 088 9255 or email amparo.service@listening-ear.co.uk.
Most COVID-19 infections go away within the first couple of weeks, but for some people, even those who weren’t seriously ill, these symptoms can last much longer. Having persistent symptoms that continue or develop after your COVID-19 infection has gone away is referred to as Long COVID, or post COVID-19 Syndrome.
Long COVID can have a huge impact on your life. The partners of Health and Care Portsmouth are working together to ensure there is adequate medical and community support for those living with Long COVID. Read more about support for Long COVID.