There are a lot of things that you can do to look after your own health and prevent yourself from becoming unwell. Many illnesses or symptoms can be treated at home with the help of a well-stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest.
If you’re not sure what kind of care you need, you’ll find lots of useful information and a free symptom checker online at www.nhs.uk. You can also ring 111 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free confidential advice and information.
Your local pharmacist / chemist will be happy to advise you on common illnesses and the medicines you need to treat them.
Your own GP is the best person to speak to about persistent health problems and illnesses that won’t go away. Your GP will make sure you are up to date with your immunisations, and will also ensure you are invited to be screened for a number of conditions, depending on your age and gender.
When your own GP surgery is closed, you can access the out-of-hours service. The 111 service will be able to help you if you need to see a GP urgently in the evening or at a weekend.
We do recommend that you find a regular dentist, and you can find one through NHS 111. If you do not have a regular dentist and you need emergency care you should contact 111.
Emergency Department and 999 services provide emergency care for people who have symptoms of serious illness or are badly injured.
The Migration Team works in partnership with UHCW Maternity Unit and our dedicated Refugee and Asylum Seeker Midwife will care for you throughout your pregnancy and when your baby is newly born and up to 6 weeks old.
Bringing children into the world is amazing!
Our dedicated Asylum and Refugee Midwife, Emma Kay, is supporting all pregnant Refugees or Asylum Seekers up to when your baby is 10 weeks old.
Emma will meet with you to discuss your individual care needs and guide you through your pregnancy.
If you need anything please email: maternalRASreferrals@UHCW.NHS.UK
A midwife is a healthcare professional who cares for you and your health needs.
If you are pregnant and have not yet spoken to a doctor, health visitor or midwife, please let a HARP Community Connector know as soon as possible! We can chat to you about keeping your baby and yourself healthy and refer you to your dedicated midwife.
Babies do not stop moving towards the end of the pregnancy, please call the ‘Labour Ward’ on 024 7669 67333, open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Keeping your children and yourself healthy is a must, so if you are pregnant, please don’t be afraid to see a doctor or go to hospital, it is for you and your child’s benefit.
If you are pregnant, you are entitled to maternity medical care.
If you need a baby car seat to leave the hospital, let your midwife know.
Email Address: maternalRASreferrals@UHCW.NHS.UK
Labour Ward phone number: 024 7669 67333. This line is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Some vaccines, such as the inactivated seasonal flu vaccine and the whooping cough vaccine, are recommended during pregnancy to protect the health of you and your baby.
If a vaccine uses a live version of the virus, such as the MMR vaccine, you’ll usually be advised to wait until after your baby is born before you get vaccinated.
Sometimes, a live vaccine may be used during pregnancy if the risk of infection is greater than the risk of the vaccination. Your midwife, GP or pharmacist can give you more advice about vaccinations during pregnancy.
Live vaccines include:
After the HealthWatch reported about maternity issues in Refugees and Asylum Seekers, we knew that we had to help reduce any issues that stopped newly arrived women from receiving the maternity healthcarethey need and deserved.
Improving maternity care | Healthwatch Coventry: Identified issues and how we have supported the improvement of referrals, language barriers, communications between agencies, and overall giving holistic support for soon to be and new mums.