Time to Talk Health – supporting people who live with a long-term health condition

Time to Talk Health is a NHS Service for residents registered with a West Sussex GP who are in need of support to cope/manage with some of the following long-term health conditions:

• Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes
• A cardiac (heart) condition.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (lung) Disease (COPD)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Asthma
• Musculoskeletal pain

Living with any of these conditions can be difficult to manage. Patients may become worried, anxious or low in mood, which can lead to deteriorating health. They may benefit from support either to adjust to a new diagnosis or at a later stage as their condition progresses. Our friendly qualified team of therapists and healthcare practitioners work with patients and their nurses and doctors in order to achieve the outcomes they want, for example to:

• Make and sustain healthy lifestyle changes - no matter how big or small.
• Better manage medication.
• Overcome fears, anxieties or low mood related to living with their condition(s).
• Reduce the impact of the condition(s) on work, family life and other activities.
• Improve knowledge and understanding of the condition(s) and related symptoms.

Working closely with a range of other professionals we offer a variety of interventions to improve health and wellbeing, such as:

• Phone consultations at a time that suits.
• One-to-one sessions.
• Group work with others who experience the same symptoms.

Coverage

West Sussex

How To Access

Patients can contact us directly or ask their GP or other healthcare professional to refer them using the same contact details below.

Contact Details

• Tel: 01273 666480 (a message can be left outside of working hours and will be responded to the next working day)
• Email: sc-tr.ltcreferrals@nhs.net
• Online referral

Opening Hours

Time to Talk Health is available Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm

How to find us

We deliver the Time to Talk Health service in venues across West Sussex for anyone aged 18 years+ who needs support living with any of these long-term conditions. We accept referrals from GPs and other healthcare professionals or patients can contact us directly as above.

More information

• Time to Talk Offers a range of talking therapy treatments and with you, decide which one will be of most benefit to you.
• Diabetes UK Offers a range of online information, booklets to download, practical advice e.g. recipes, forums. There is a helpline staffed by trained counsellors, with knowledge of diabetes.
• Local Diabetes UK support groups West Sussex Downs Monthly support group meetings (rotate between Steyning, Sompting and Lancing) On occasion will invite speakers e.g. diabetes nurses. Facebook group.
• Brighton Area Diabetes Group Social events, general meetings and fundraising events Facebook group.
• Chichester and District Group Monthly meetings, with guest speakers, social events. Based at Diabetes Centre at St Richards Hospital. Regular newsletter with information about events, updates on research/relevant advances etc.
• Carers UK A national charity for carers providing support and advice; has a helpline and online forum.
• The wellbeing hubs A free, friendly and impartial service which comes from your local authority, the NHS and other partners, where you can find out more about local activities and support services.
• Health Coaches A telephone-based behavioural coaching service that has been set up to support patients with long term conditions to improve their ability to self-manage. For people registered to Horsham & Mid Sussex GP practices.
• Mind in Brighton and Hove offer some services in West Sussex, including participation services, peer mentoring and mental health advocacy (IMHA, Community and Children/Young Persons).
• Carers Support West Sussex County wide service offering practical advice, information and emotional support (including counselling, online and telephone support) , support groups, social events and access to low cost activities. Details of specific support groups can be found via the website.
• British Heart Foundation offers a range of information and booklets about heart conditions and living with heart conditions. There is a helpline staffed by Cardiac Nurses and Information Support Officers. There are also details of support groups.
• British Lung Foundation offers information about lung conditions and living with lung conditions. There is a helpline available and details of local ‘Breathe Easy’ support groups.
• Expert Patient Programme This is a free 6 session self-management course developed for people living with any long-term health condition. It runs in a variety of locations across West Sussex and is run by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.