Important information about changes to our services

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust services changes

Coronavirus (Covid-19) caused unprecedented demand on our services, so we had to suspend or revise the following services.

Phased reopening of our services has starting and we apologise for any inconvenience. We are continuing to review and hope to return services to normal as soon as possible.

Visiting is now being relaxed at our Secure and Specialist Learning Disability sites and you can find more information here. 

For more information on Coronavirus (COVID-19), click here.

Patients, service users and visitors will be asked to wear a mask/ face covering when accessing our services, although some people will not be able to wear a mask and may be excluded.

Exclusions The circumstances in which a person has a reasonable excuse include those where they cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering or because of any physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability (within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010(7)), or without severe distress.

Services are listed alphabetically and you can use the quick links below to be taken to the relevant service information.

 

Abacus Sexual Health

Advice for women seeking contraception, abortion and other sexual and reproductive healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found here.

Abacus is still open but has changed the way the service operates to provide as many services remotely as possible. Routine drop in sessions are not currently available.

There is a telephone triage and consultation service in place which is supported by a postal service for the delivery of supplies.

Please call Abacus telephone triage on: 0151 247 6555 (Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 4.30pm)

From 1 August: Saturday 9.30am to 4.30pm (this is a limited service for pre-booked appointments and urgent issues following telephone triage first - emergency contraception, acute symptoms) 

Following the telephone consultation, if a face-to-face consultation is urgently needed, service users will be offered an appointment at:

Central Abacus

The Beat, 6 David Lewis Street, L1 4AP.

If a face-to-face consultation is needed, please do not bring anyone with you as due to the requirements for social distancing there is not the space in the waiting room.

Do not attend the clinic if you have either:

  • A new, continuous cough
  • A high temperature
  • Loss of sense of taste or smell
  • Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do: Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

For Information about overdue change of an IUD/IUS or implant please see here.

If you want to order a Postal Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea self-testing kit please click here.

Abacus is now offering routine Implant insertion/ removal

For Implant insertion/ change or removal:

Telephone the Abacus triage line on 0151 247 6555 to arrange a telephone consultation. Following a telephone consultation you will be booked a clinic appointment for your procedure.

For removal of an existing IUD/IUS or problems with an existing IUD/IUS or for an Emergency IUD

Telephone the Abacus triage line on 0151 247 6555 to arrange a telephone consultation. Following a telephone consultation you will be booked a clinic appointment for your procedure if indicated.

For IUD/IUS insertion or change

Abacus has started the phased return of IUD/IUS insertion/change procedures and are offering a limited number of appointments for this. There is a high demand for these procedures and we are working to clear the backlog caused by the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic so please bear with us. Appointments are released on a weekly basis each Wednesday.

Call the Abacus triage line on 0151 247 6555

If IUC insertion or change appointments are not available when you call you will be offered a telephone consultation to discuss interim contraception or if not needed advised to phone the next Wednesday.

If IUC insertion or change appointments are available

  • You will be added to the list for an IUD/IUS counselling telephone consultation.
  • Following this telephone consultation if appropriate you will be booked an IUC fitting appointment and you will be sent a text message with a link to an online counselling video and a link to a self-assessment form.
  • Please ensure you watch the video and complete and submit the self-assessment form prior to attending for your IUC fitting appointment as we may not be able to insert the IUD/IUS unless we feel it is safe to do so and that you are aware of the risks and benefits.

The online counselling video can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHRYE2FsXmc (Credit NHS Lothian)

You must use a reliable method of contraception up until the IUD/IUS is fitted or have NO SEX for at least three weeks before the appointment or NO SEX from the start of the period before the appointment.

If you need your IUS/IUD replacing, you must have NO SEX for the seven days before your appointment.

 

Addictions services

Hope Centre

In line with national guidance, all planned admissions to the Hope Centre have been significantly reduced. Referrals are still being accepted and service users will be placed on the waiting list. Please maintain contact with your key worker for an update.

 

Drug and alcohol teams

Clients are being seen when there is an essential or urgent clinical need. However given the current guidance on social distancing and Covid-19, to keep both our clients and staff safe we are significantly reducing face to face appointments for the foreseeable future. Instead we are offering assessment and treatment via phone, as well as virtual face to face therapy through a secure digital solution.

 

Urgent mental health support

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we need to divert people away from the already stretched emergency services. Local services division has centralised resources to support mental health assessments across various sites away from A&E.

This is now supported by an urgent/emergency referral pathway for emergency services and service users through a single contact number to access mental health services 24 hours per day. Please call: 0800 145 6570.

 

24-Hour Helpline

Mersey Care’s 24 hour helpline enables people with mental health needs to receive support, please call: 0800 145 6570.

. The service offers:

  • 24/7 access to mental health support services (including people in crisis)
  • 24/7 contact line for emergency services that will divert mental health activity away from A&E departments
  • 24/7 contact line for primary care colleagues for urgent/emergency referrals for mental health assessments.

The helpline can be accessed by:

  • Anyone 18+ self-referral or any professional.

Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service (Liverpool and Sefton)

The service is contacting patients who had their appointments temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions and offering them a new appointment.

We will prioritise patients based on clinical need. You may be assessed and provided with advice over the phone or via video consultation with a member of the service. 

The health and safety of all our patients and staff remains our top priority. On this basis it may take longer than usual to offer you an appointment due to the ongoing requirement to ensure our services are delivered in a way which keeps patients and staff safe from COVID-19. Additional procedures have also been put in place to ensure the safety of our patients and staff should a home visit be required.

The Adult Speech and Language Therapy patient line is open Monday to Friday between 9am-4.30pm for information or advice on 0151 296 7403

If the duty therapist is on another call, please leave a message on the answerphone or with our administration officer and we will contact you. Outside of these hours, urgent advice is available via your GP, NHS 111, NHS Walk-in Centres or A&E.

 

Ambition Sefton (Drugs and Alcohol)

Clients are being seen when there is an essential or urgent clinical need. To keep both our clients and staff safe we are significantly reducing face to face appointments for the foreseeable future.

Instead, we are offering assessment and treatment via phone, as well as virtual face to face therapy through a secure digital solution. You can phone 0151 944 5334 for our Bootle office and 01704 534759 for Southport.

 

Armistead Centre

Armistead group sessions are temporarily suspended, but support is still available via the Armistead helpline.(0151 247 6560), Monday to Friday 9.30am and 4.30pm

If you require contraception, sexual health testing or screening please call the Abacus phone triage service on 0151 247 6555, Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Asperger's Service (Sefton)

This service has moved to virtual appointments. Please phone 01704 383 100.

 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Service

This service has moved to virtual appointments. Please phone 0151 330 6904.

 

Bladder and Bowel Service (Liverpool)

The Bladder and Bowel service has temporarily suspended all face to face clinic sessions. Patients will continue to be assessed and access support and advice via telephone consultations.

Patients will be contacted to reschedule planned appointments. New referrals will be triaged via a telephone assessment, prioritised and clinical advice will be available over the telephone.

 

Broadoak Unit

We have begun to relax visiting restrictions following the Covid-19 pandemic. Please contact the ward or hospital for specific arrangements. More information about visiting arrangements can be found here.

Carers update

We understand that you will be concerned during the present outbreak of the Corona Virus across the world. NHS England and NHS Improvement have issued Visitor Guidance and visiting has been suspended until further notice. The only exceptional circumstances where one visitor – an immediate family member or carer – will be permitted to visit are listed below.

  • The patient you wish to visit is receiving end-of-life care
  • You are the birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour
  • You are a parent or appropriate adult visiting your child.

A child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. Children Act 2004

The full guidance is in this document.

If you are a carer of someone who is an inpatient within our services please contact the unit for updates of your loved one.

If you require further information Carers UK have some very useful information about Coronavirus on their web page: Link below:

https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/health/looking-after-your-health/coronavirus-covid-19

 

Children and Young People's Service

We will be holding health visitor led assessment clinics forLiverpool-based patients and service users aged 0-19. The clinic is for any child or young person that requires a weight/height or clinical observation of blood pressure or pulse to be recorded.

 Referrals will be accepted for the following:

  • Children with metabolic disorders
  • Babies presenting as failure to thrive
  • Children and young people where there is a high clinical need to have a face to face review.

The clinics will operate Monday to Friday with appointments being offered at Norris Green and Old Swan Walk in Centre. Children will be offered an appointment as close to home as possible. In line with the social distancing and infection control measures and guidance, five appointments will be available at each venue on a daily basis.

Parents or carers will be advised that only one adult should attend with a child and a PHE risk assessment will be completed prior to the confirmation of an appointment.

Referrals will be accepted from health visitors, school nurses, GPs, social workers and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital colleagues. Please complete the form available here and email it to: Merseycare.hvclinicduringCOVID19@nhs.net

If you have any questions  please call 0151 295 3317. 

Downloadable resources (local and national)

Parenting through Covid 19: https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/parenting-through-covid-19/.

 

Clock View Hospital

We have begun to relax visiting restrictions following the Covid-19 pandemic. Please contact the ward or hospital for specific arrangements. More information about visiting arrangements can be found here.

Community Matrons

The Community Matrons are working with Integrated Care Teams to deliver support and proactive patient assessments for all care home residents.

If you have any queries please call: 0151 295 9700 and select option 4.

 

Community Mental Health Teams (North and South Sefton)

This service has moved to virtual appointments.

Community Respiratory Service (Sefton)

This team is still operational for:

  • Unplanned care is operating business as usual ( 2 hour response)
  • Pulmonary rehab are still accepting referrals but are offering telephone consultations only (shared previously)
  • Planned care is still accepting referrals and telephone consultations are available.

The service is operational seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. If you wish to contact the service or make a referral please call 0300 323 0240.

Patients are directed to call the patient line on 0151 475 4261 Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 am to 5pm. If the line is in use and after these hours an answer machine is in operatiion.

 

 

Criminal Justice, Liaison and Diversion Team

The court liaison service has been temporarily suspended.

 

Crisis contact information (Online and phone psychological support)

Click here for Mersey Care 24/7 helpline

 

Dental Services

Arrangements for Mersey Care Community Dental Service patients, Knowsley Orthodontics patients,  Vauxhall Personal Dental Service & River Alt Personal Dental Service patients

We are working on a phased return to providing Dental Care for patients within our service. We will be initially prioritising patients requiring urgent care and so with effect from 24th June 2020 the following community dental services will re-open for our patients who have a dental emergency or urgent dental care need:

  • Mersey Care Community Dental Service
  • Knowsley Orthodontics
  • Vauxhall Personal Dental Service
  • River Alt Personal Dental Service

Procedures have been put in place to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.  Dental services are offering a limited provision compared to what you may have previously accessed.

We will prioritise patients with the most urgent needs. If you are in pain or in need of support or advice then please use the following contact details:

Contact Details for Mersey Care Community Dental Service Patients and Knowsley Orthodontics Patients:

Please contact the Dental Helpline  on 0151 295 8643.  This number is operational  Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm

 

Contact Details for Vauxhall Personal Dental Service and River Alt Personal Dental Service Patients:

Please contact 0151 244 3254. This number is operational Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 4.30pm

You will be assessed and provided with advice over the phone which may include a video consultation with a dentist. If you are required to attend a dental clinic, you will be provided with instructions on which site to attend. Please note this may not be your usual dental clinic.

 

Out of hour’s dental provision

For any problems that occur out of the opening hours and over the weekend or Bank Holidays please contact:

  • Out of hours dental advice line: 0161 476 9651

If at any time you develop any of the following symptoms you should seek urgent medical advice from NHS 111 or from your nearest A & E department:

  • Severe swelling
  • Raised temperature
  • Unexplained lethargy (tiredness)
  • Overall feeling of discomfort and lack of wellbeing.

To support NHS services, it is important that you do not visit hospitals or doctors’ surgeries with dental problems unless you are advised to do so.

Advice for members of the public not registered with a dentist

If you are not registered with a dentist, please visit the following website: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist

Urgent dental care for members of the public not registered with a dentist can accessed via the helpline between the hours of 9am to 9.30pm every day, including weekends and Bank Holidays.

Cheshire and Merseyside helpline: 0161 476 9651

 

Diabetes Service (South Sefton)

The delivery of face to face education sessions has been temporarily suspended. Existing patients accessing the education sessions have been written to and provided with information and access to online education resources.

The referral criteria and process remains the same. New referrals will be triaged via a telephone assessment, prioritised and clinical advice will be available.

The patient and professional helpline is available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0151 475 4085.

 

District Nursing Service

We are working with the Community Matrons to prioritise home visits based upon clinical need and priority.

Patients with a planned appointment will be contacted and will be provided with advice and informed as to the next steps.

Ear syringing at Liverpool Treatment Rooms

Ear syringing clinics will restart on Monday 21 September at the following sites.

 

Liverpool

 

Clinic

Day and time

Dovecot Health Centre, Longreach Road,

L14 0NL

Monday 1.00pm to 5.00pm 

Thursday and Friday  8.30am to 5.00pm and Friday

Fiveways Family Health Centre,

215 Childwall Road

L15 6UT

Monday and Tuesday

1.00pm to 5.00pm

Breeze Hill Health Centre, 1-3 Rice Lane, L9 1AD

*(opens 28 September)

Monday 5.00pm to 8.00pm

Thursday 8.30am to 12 noon

 

Please ensure that olive oil (or a wax softener) has been used five days before your appointment, as failure to do so may result in a delay in your treatment. Ear irrigation is only available for patients over 16 years old. 

Patients can self refer for ear syringing by contacting the booking line seven days per week between 8.00am and 8.00pm:

  • Booking line: 0300 790 0142

 

Ear syringing at south Sefton Treatment Rooms

Ear syringing clinics will restart on Monday 21 September at the following sites:

 

Clinic

Day and time

Bootle  Health Centre

Park Street

Bootle L20 3RF

Monday 9.00am to 4.00pm

Sefton Road Health Centre

67 Sefton Road

Litherland L21 9HE

Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm

 

Please ensure that olive oil (or a wax softener) has been used five days before your appointment, as failure to do so may result in a delay in your treatment. Ear irrigation is only available for patients over 16 years old.

Patients can self refer for ear syringing by contacting the booking line Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm:

  • Booking line: 0151 475 4007

 

Hartley Hospital

We have begun to relax visiting restrictions following the Covid-19 pandemic. Please contact Hartley Hospital for specific arrangements.

 

Eating Disorders

This service has moved to virtual appointments.

 

Healthy Families programme

From 31 October 2020 this service will no longer be running and with immediate effect is not accepting any new referrals.

If you require information or support about making healthy choices for you and your family, please visit the Change for Life website: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/about-change4life or alternatively please contact your GP for referral to children’s weight management services.

 

Health Visitors Service – (including Family Nurse Partnership Team, Child Health Inclusion Team and Nursery Nurses)

As of 17 September 2020, Health Visitor service has restarted and developed a catch up programme for children whose appointments were temporarily suspended in line with Covid-19 national guidance.

Parents and carers will receive a letter or call to arrange a convenient appointment.

If parents / carers would like to discuss this in more detail or have any questions please call your health visitor on the number in your Personal Child Health Record (also known as the Red Book) or alternatively call:

  • 0151 295 8416 or 0151 295 9700, the select option 3 and ask to speak to a team leader.

 

20 July 2020 - The Health Visiting service inclusive of Family Nurse Partnership and Child Health Inclusion Team will be reinstating all five of the Healthy Child Programme contacts. This includes the restart of the following:

  • 6 to 8 week contact - re-introduced as a face to face contact to determine a baseline assessment (pre-risk assessed)
  • 1 year review – re-introduced as a virtual contact.
  • 2 to 2.5 year review – re-introduced as a face to face contact (pre risk assessed).

The antenatal and birth visit will continue to be undertaken virtually unless deemed high risk and therefore a face to face contact would be required/ offered.

The contacts will be undertaken by relevant members of the health visiting team.

Health Visitor Assessment Clinics

The Health Visitor led assessment clinics which were established in response to Covid-19 will continue on a daily basis with a further venue being determined in south of the city to meet need.

Appointments will continue to be by referral only from our key stakeholders such as GPs; midwives; local authority and acute trusts.

Well Baby Clinics

Children Centres will continue to work closely with Mersey Care. Children’s Centres are expected to re-open in late October. Therefore there are no immediate plans to reinstate the Well Baby Clinics. However the re-introduction of the five contacts plus increase in provision of assessment clinics will support in mitigating any risk.

For advice and contact with children and young peoples services please see below

If you need to contact your health visitor, please see below contact numbers:

  • North Liverpool: 0151 295 8416 or 0151 295 8576
  • Central Liverpool:  0151 295 3317
  • South Liverpool: 0151 295 9700

For the latest advice about pregnancy during the coronavirus pandemic, try here: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/

 

Heart Failure Service (North and South Sefton)

Face to face contact with patients has been reduced, but the service is operating business as usual for patient consultations and offering telephone appointments. 

Face to face consultation is still available for patients deemed as high risk and need a physical examination and the referral criteria and process remains the same.

The patient and professional helpline is available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0151 475 4030.

 

High Secure services

COVID-19 Ashworth Hospital Visiting Arrangements

Whilst visiting in person was replaced by virtual visiting in response to the COVID-19 pandemic recognizing the vital importance of family contact and informed by NHS England guidelines face to face visits are now permitted, except in cases where it has been individually assessed that the risks cannot be safely managed, or the visit would not be appropriate, for example if the patient was too unwell to participate, or did not have the capacity to maintain social distancing.

How visits will be managed

The process for booking and the manner in which visits are facilitated will remain similar to systems previously in place prior to COVID-19 however there will be some important changes and obligations for both visitors and service users who participate.

Only one visitor will be permitted to visit a patient at any one time or two visitors from one household.

Cleaning procedure has been enhanced and will take place before and after the visit in the visiting suite.

Visitors must wear face masks at all times, these will be provided if necessary. Face masks will be also worn by staff and patients throughout the visit and patients and visitors must wash their hands before and after the visit. Hand sanitiser will be provided. Social distancing must be adhered to at all times.

You will be asked to complete a questionnaire on arrival capturing contact details and current health; should you experience on the day of the visit a new continuous cough, a high temperature and/or a loss of or change in taste or smell you should not visit; if you display these symptoms you should self-isolate at home and organise a test, members of your household should also self-isolate for 14 days.

Contact information for visitors and details of their travel history will be retained and in the case of a COVID-19 outbreak shared with NHS Track and Trace.

Booking a Visit

It will be necessary for visits to be booked with 72 hours notice. It is expected that there will be high demand for visiting whilst the number who may visit simultaneously has been reduced to maintain safety. Initially patients will be permitted one visit per month whilst demand is gauged.

The process for booking a visit will remain unchanged however you will be asked about your health and travel history to assess risk.

Alternatives to Visiting

Whilst the Trust will endeavour to facilitate all requests for approved visitors to visit in person in a way that protects you, the individual you visit, other patients and staff mitigating the risks of contracting COVID-19 it is important to state that visits are at your own risk. Alternative means of contact such as virtual visits remain available should you not wish to visit in person.

 

 

Hope Centre (Addictions inpatients)

All planned admissions have been significantly reduced. Referrals are still being accepted and service users will be placed on the waiting list.

 

Life Rooms

All Life Rooms sites have been temporarily closed in line with Public Health England guidelines.

A Pathways Advice service will continue to operate via telephone on 0151 478 6556. It offers non-clinical support for any issues that are affecting someone’s wellbeing.

The mental health and wellbeing provision will continue to be offered via the Life Rooms website at www.liferooms.org

 

Lymphoedema Service

This service has temporarily suspended all face to face sessions at both sites. Patients with an existing appointment will be contacted and advice offered via telephone consultation or a home visit if required.

If you have any questions please contact: 0151 296 7100, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.

 

Mental health services

Mersey Care is in the process of rapidly deploying digital solutions to enable our staff, patients and carers to remain in touch throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular there is a strong focus on enabling people to connect ‘face to face’ through video meetings.

Inpatients

All visiting to our inpatient wards is suspended. Please contact the ward directly if you have any concerns. Technology is being deployed across our wards to ensure our patients can maintain contact with relatives and friends.

Carers can expect to keep in touch with patients via our ward iPads, through Skype, Facetime or Zoom. Carers can expect to be invited to phone or video for any meeting that they would ordinarily be invited to attend. 

 

Outpatient/therapy appointment information for adult and older adult services

Please do not attend for your scheduled outpatient appointment. This will be undertaken virtually or by phone. You will be contacted by the appropriate member of staff on the date and time of your arranged appointment. If the appointment is to take place via a video consultation you will receive full instruction in advance about how to participate.

 

Depot clinics

Please continue to attend for your depot clinics. You will be screened on arrival at clinic relating to any Covid-19 symptoms.  

 

Nutrition and Dietetics Service (Liverpool)

The service is contacting patients who had their appointments temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions and offering them a new appointment.

We will prioritise patients based on their clinical need. You may be assessed and provided with advice over the phone which may include a video consultation with a member of the service. 

The health and safety of all our patients and staff remains our top priority. On this basis it may take longer than usual to offer you an appointment due to the ongoing requirement to ensure our services are delivered in a way which keeps patients and staff safe from COVID-19. Additional procedures have also been put in place to ensure the safety of our patients and staff should a home visit be required.  

The patient line is open Monday to Friday between 8am-4.00pm for information or advice on 0151 295 3868

Outside these hours, urgent advice is available via your GP, NHS 111, NHS Walk-in Centres or A&E. Patients registered with the Abbott Hospital to Home Service can also call: 0800 0183 799 for advice.

 

Nutrition and Dietetics Service (South Sefton)

The service is contacting patients who had their appointments temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions and offering them a new appointment.

We will prioritise patients based on their clinical need. You may be assessed and provided with advice over the phone which may include a video consultation with a member of the service. 

The health and safety of all our patients and staff remains our top priority. On this basis it may take longer than usual to offer you an appointment due to the ongoing requirement to ensure our services are delivered in a way which keeps patients and staff safe from COVID-19. Additional procedures have also been put in place to ensure the safety of our patients and staff should a home visit be required.  

The patient line is open Monday to Friday between 8am-4pm for information or advice on 0151 247 6128

Outside these hours, urgent advice is available via your GP, NHS 111, NHS Walk-in Centres or A&E. Patients registered with the Abbott Hospital to Home Service can also call 0800 0183 799 for advice.

 

Occupational Therapy Adult Rehabilitation Team (COTART) and Community Falls Team for Liverpool Community

The team are contacting patients who had their appointments temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions and offering them a new appointment

The service will prioritise patients based on their clinical need. You may be assessed and provided with advice over the phone which may include a video consultation with a member of the service. 

The health and safety of all our patients and staff remains our top priority. On this basis it may take longer than usual to offer you an appointment due to the ongoing requirement to ensure our services are delivered in a way which keeps patients and staff safe from COVID-19. Additional procedures have also been put in place to ensure the safety of our patients and staff should a home visit be required.  

The patient line is open Monday to Friday between 8.00am-4pm for information or advice on 0151 295 3693

Outside of these hours urgent advice is available via your GP, NHS 111, NHS Walk-in Centres or A&E.

 

Park Unit Southport (now Pine Ward)

The adult mental health inpatient service at the Park Unit, Hesketh Centre, Southport, has relocated to Pine Ward, Hartley Hospital Southport. Contact telephone numbers will remain the same.

Please note that all other existing services based at the Hesketh Centre, including outpatient appointments (where currently appropriate), remain the same until further notice.

To contact the Park Unit (now called Pine Ward) telephone our main 24-hour switchboard on 0151 473 0303, or 01704 383600/ 01704 383100 (via Hesketh Centre switchboard office hours).

 

Personality Disorder Hub

This service remains operational for a small client group. 

 

Phlebotomy (blood sampling service) for Liverpool Community

Appointments

Once a request for a blood test has been made by your GP (on a system called ICE), patients are required to book a planned appointment via Mersey Care’s Central Management Office:

  • Telephone 0151 295 3400 option 4 (8am to 4pm)

If your blood test is deemed as urgent, your GP or the practice staff will book your appointment for you via the GP Hotline.

 

You can now book appointments online for blood tests in Liverpool.

If you have been advised that you need a blood test please visit  www.merseycare.nhs.uk/mybloodtest to book your appointment and follow the step by step instructions.

If you do not have internet access and an email address, please phone 0151 295 3400 option 4 or you can ask your GP Practice to book an appointment for you.

Please note we are unable to accept calls in our queuing system after 3.45pm to enable us to respond to as many calls as possible before our 4.00pm closedown. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

Clinics

The service is currently offering sessions for booked appointments at:

  • Breeze Hill Medical Centre, 1-3 Rice Lane, L9 1AD, 7.00am to 7.00pm
  • Childwall Fiveways Health Centre, 215 Childwall Road, L15 6UT, 8.30am to 4.30pm
  • Hunter Street Car Park (drive through), L3 8EN, 9.00am to 5.00pm (last appointment 4.40pm)
  • Kensington Health Centre, Edge Lane, L7 2PF, 7.30am to 7.00pm
  • Norris Green Health Centre, Townsend Ave, L11 5AF. 8.30am to 4.30pm
  • Old Swan Health Centre, Crystal Close, L13 2GA.  8.30am to 4.30pm
  • South Liverpool Treatment Centre, 32 Church Road, L19 2LW, 7.00am to 7.00pm
  • Yew Tree Health Centre, 21 Berryford Road, L14  4ED, 8.30am to 12.30pm 

 

Drive Through

The drive through service provides a safe environment, utilising the patient’s vehicle as both a self contained waiting area and phlebotomy booth, which along with appropriate PPE maintains good infection prevention and control measures and protection for both the patient and phlebotomist. Both the driver and the passenger can have blood samples taken without having to leave the car. 

The drive through phlebotomy service is available as an extension to the current model and is based at Hunter Street Car Park, L3 8EN (accessible via Cuerden Street, please see the map below).

 

An example of the drive through experience for patients can be seen below:

Antibody Testing

Antibody testing will only be provided to those patients referred by their GP who need blood taken as part of other tests and procedures. Any patients referred for antibody testing will need a 15-minute appointment and we will continue to monitor the impact of antibody testing on service delivery.

          

Physiotherapy Community Service (Liverpool)

We are contacting patients who had their appointments temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions and offering them a new appointment.

The service will prioritise patients based on clinical need. You may be assessed and provided with advice over the phone or via video consultation with a member of the service. 

The health and safety of all our patients and staff remains our top priority. On this basis it may take longer than usual to offer you an appointment due to the ongoing requirement to ensure our services are delivered in a way which keeps patients and staff safe from COVID-19. Additional procedures have also been put in place to ensure the safety of our patients and staff should a home visit be required.

The patient line is open Monday to Friday between 8.30am-4pm for information or advice on 0151 295 3988.

Outside of these hours urgent advice is available via your GP, NHS 111, NHS Walk-in Centres or A&E.

 

Podiatry Service (Liverpool and Sefton)

The team is offering appointments to patients whose foot health is considered at risk to prevent deterioration as well patients with diabetic foot ulceration. The service will prioritise patients based on their clinical need. 

You may be assessed and provided with advice over the phone which may include a video consultation with a member of the service.

The health and safety of all our patients and staff remains our top priority. On this basis it may take longer than usual to offer you an appointment due to the ongoing requirement to ensure our services are delivered in a way which keeps patients and staff safe from COVID-19. Additional procedures have also been put in place to ensure the safety of our patients and staff should a home visit be required.

The patient line is open Monday to Friday between 8.30am-4.30pm for information or advice on 0151 295 9428

Outside of these hours urgent advice is available via your GP, NHS 111, NHS Walk-in Centres or A&E.

 

Primary Care Liaison

A reduced service is in operation.

 

Psychological Support Line

The psychological support team is available on 0151 473 0303 from 8.00am until 8.00pm - just ask for the team.

It's available to anyone over 16, who can self-refer for low level psychological support. It's for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as those experiencing anxiety or depression.

This isn't an immediate access telephone therapy service, but rather a listening ear support line, allowing space to discuss psychological needs. This may result in the team signposting to resources, information or other services and agencies.

 

Rathbone Low Secure unit

COVID-19 Rathbone LSU Visiting Arrangements

Whilst visiting in person was replaced by virtual visiting in response to the COVID-19 pandemic recognizing the vital importance of family contact and informed by NHS England guidelines face to face visits are now permitted, except in cases where it has been individually assessed that the risks cannot be safely managed, or the visit would not be appropriate, for example if the patient was too unwell to participate, or did not have the capacity to maintain social distancing.

How visits will be managed

The process for booking and the manner in which visits are facilitated will remain similar to systems previously in place prior to COVID-19 however there will be some important changes and obligations for both visitors and service users who participate.

Only one visitor will be permitted to visit a patient at any one time or two visitors from one household.

Cleaning procedure has been enhanced and will take place before and after the visit in the visiting suite.

Visitors must wear face masks at all times, these will be provided if necessary. Face masks will be also worn by staff and patients throughout the visit and patients and visitors must wash their hands before and after the visit. Hand sanitiser will be provided. Social distancing must be adhered to at all times.

You will be asked to complete a questionnaire on arrival capturing contact details and current health; should you experience on the day of the visit a new continuous cough, a high temperature and/or a loss of or change in taste or smell you should not visit; if you display these symptoms you should self-isolate at home and organise a test, members of your household should also self-isolate for 14 days.

Contact information for visitors and details of their travel history will be retained and in the case of a COVID-19 outbreak shared with NHS Track and Trace.

Booking a Visit

It will be necessary for visits to be booked with 48 hours notice. It is expected that there will be high demand for visiting whilst the number who may visit simultaneously has been reduced to maintain safety. Initially patients will be permitted two visits per week whilst demand is gauged.

The process for booking a visit will remain unchanged however you will be asked about your health and travel history to assess risk.

Alternatives to Visiting

Whilst the Trust will endeavour to facilitate all requests for approved visitors to visit in person in a way that protects you, the individual you visit, other patients and staff mitigating the risks of contracting COVID-19 it is important to state that visits are at your own risk. Alternative means of contact such as virtual visits remain available should you not wish to visit in person.

 

 

Psychotherapy

This service has moved to virtual appointments. 

 

Rehab at Home

The team are contacting patients who had their appointment temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions and offering them a new appointment. 

The service will prioritise patients based on clinical need. You may be assessed and provided with advice over the phone which may include a video consultation with a member of the service. 

The health and safety of all our patients and staff remains our top priority. On this basis it may take longer than usual to offer you an appointment due to the ongoing requirement to ensure our services are delivered in a way which keeps patients and staff safe from COVID-19. Additional procedures have also been put in place to ensure the safety of our patients and staff should a home visit be required.

The patient line is open Monday to Friday between 8am-4pm on 0151 247 6123.

An answer machine is available outside of these hours. Any messages left after 3.30pm will be answered the next working day. Urgent advice is available via Aintree University Hospital Fracture Clinic (0151 529 2554), your GP, NHS 111, NHS Walk-in Centres or A&E.

 

School Health Nurses

  • This service is prioritising support for vulnerable children, young people and their families.

If you need to contact your local school health team, please see here and select the correct number based on the school.

 

Scott Clinic

Information on resumption of Visits to Scott Clinic

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic as you are aware visits have been suspended. The Trust recognize the vital importance of family contact and informed by NHS England guidelines are lifting the suspension of visits from immediate effect, except in cases where it has been individually assessed that the risks cannot be safely managed, or the visit would not be appropriate, for example if the patient was too unwell to participate, or did not have the capacity to maintain social distancing.

How visits will be managed

The process for booking and the manner in which visits are facilitated will remain similar to systems previously in place prior to COVID-19 however there will be some important changes and obligations for both visitors and service users who participate.

Only one visitor will be permitted to visit a patient at any one time or two visitors from one household.

Cleaning procedure has been enhanced and will take place before and after the visit in the visiting area. Refreshments will unfortunately not be available.

Visitors must wear face masks at all times, these will be provided if necessary. Face masks will be also worn by staff and patients throughout the visit and patients and visitors must wash their hands before and after the visit. Hand sanitiser will be provided. Social distancing must be adhered to at all times.

You will be asked to complete a questionnaire on arrival capturing contact details and current health; should you experience on the day of the visit a new continuous cough, a high temperature and/or a loss of or change in taste or smell you should not visit; if you display these symptoms you should self-isolate at home and organise a test, members of your household should also self-isolate for 14 days.

Contact information for visitors and details of their travel history will be retained and in the case of a COVID-19 outbreak shared with NHS Track and Trace.

Booking a Visit

It will be necessary for visits to be booked with 48 hours notice. It is expected that there will be high demand for visiting whilst the number who may visit simultaneously has been reduced to maintain safety.

The process for booking a visit will remain unchanged however you will be asked about your health and travel history to assess risk.

Alternatives to Visiting

Whilst the Trust will endeavour to facilitate all requests for approved visitors to visit in person in a way that protects you, the individual you visit, other patients and staff mitigating the risks of contracting COVID-19 it is important to state that visits are at your own risk. Alternative means of contact such as virtual visits remain available should you not wish to visit in person.

 

Sexual Health Outreach Service

This service has resumed a limited ‘Street Service’ working with our vulnerable sex working community across the city and are providing support as follows:

  • Monday to Thursday and Saturday, two hours per day (outreach)
  • From 13 July, the Friday Drop-in is resuming 6pm-8pm (weekly)

The health and safety of all our service users and staff remains our top priority. Additional procedures have also been put in place to ensure the safety of our services users and staff including the wearing of PPE, masks and practising social distancing.

If you have any questions or queries, the helpline is open Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am-4.30pm on 0151 247 6560.

 

Single Point Of Access

There is a reduced service and all assessments are being done remotely. 

 

Skin Service (complex wounds)

From Monday 28 September the Complex Wound and Well Leg clinics will reopen at sites listed in the table below:

Clinic address

Complex Wound Clinic

Well Leg Clinic

Vauxhall Health Centre, 111-117 Limekiln Lane, L5 8XR

0151 295 3737

Monday - 1.00pm to 5.00pm

1.00pm to 5.00pm

Picton Health Centre, 137 Earle Road, L7 6HD

0151 295 3377

Tuesday - 9.00am to 5.00pm

1.00pm to 5.00pm

South Liverpool Treatment Centre, 32 Church Road, L19 2LW

0151 295 9000

Wednesday - 9.00am to 5.00pm

9.00am to 12 noon 

Townsend Health Centre, 98 Townsend Lane,L6 0BB

0151 295 9510

9.00am to 5.00pm

9.00am to 12 noon 

Patients who had their appointments suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions have been contacted and new appointments arranged.

Referrals are accepted from GPs and other healthcare professionals

The service is available Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm with the exception of bank holidays. If you have any questions please call:  0151 295 9415

 

Skin Service (Well leg clinic)

From Monday 28 September the Complex Wound and Well Leg clinics will reopen at sites listed in the table below:

Clinic address

Complex Wound Clinic

Well Leg Clinic

Vauxhall Health Centre, 111-117 Limekiln Lane, L5 8XR

0151 295 3737

Monday - 1.00pm to 5.00pm

1.00pm to 5.00pm

Picton Health Centre, 137 Earle Road, L7 6HD

0151 295 3377

Tuesday - 9.00am to 5.00pm

1.00pm to 5.00pm

South Liverpool Treatment Centre, 32 Church Road, L19 2LW

0151 295 9000

Wednesday - 9.00am to 5.00pm

9.00am to 12 noon 

Townsend Health Centre, 98 Townsend Lane,L6 0BB

0151 295 9510

9.00am to 5.00pm

9.00am to 12 noon 

Patients who had their appointments suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions have been contacted and new appointments arranged.

Referrals are accepted from GPs and other healthcare professionals

The service is available Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm with the exception of bank holidays. If you have any questions please call:  0151 295 9415

 

 

So to Speak

The So to Speak team are temporarily suspending attending schools and young people’s services to deliver sexual health education sessions.

If you require information regarding services and arranging education and training sessions in the future please call: 0151 247 6500.

 

South Sefton Diabetes Service

The Diabetes service has temporarily suspended the delivery of face to face education sessions. Existing patients accessing the education sessions will continue to be supported via a telephone assessment and consultation.

New referrals will be triaged via a telephone assessment, prioritised and clinical advice will be available.

 

STAR unit

COVID-19 STAR Unit Visiting Arrangements

Whilst visiting in person was replaced by virtual visiting in response to the COVID-19 pandemic recognizing the vital importance of family contact and informed by NHS England guidelines face to face visits are now permitted, except in cases where it has been individually assessed that the risks cannot be safely managed, or the visit would not be appropriate, for example if the patient was too unwell to participate, or did not have the capacity to maintain social distancing.

How visits will be managed

The process for booking and the manner in which visits are facilitated will remain similar to systems previously in place prior to COVID-19 however there will be some important changes and obligations for both visitors and service users who participate.

Only one visitor will be permitted to visit a patient at any one time or two visitors from one household.

Cleaning procedure has been enhanced and will take place before and after the visit in the visiting suite.

Visitors must wear face masks at all times, these will be provided if necessary. Face masks will be also worn by staff and patients throughout the visit and patients and visitors must wash their hands before and after the visit. Hand sanitiser will be provided. Social distancing must be adhered to at all times.

You will be asked to complete a questionnaire on arrival capturing contact details and current health; should you experience on the day of the visit a new continuous cough, a high temperature and/or a loss of or change in taste or smell you should not visit; if you display these symptoms you should self-isolate at home and organise a test, members of your household should also self-isolate for 14 days.

Contact information for visitors and details of their travel history will be retained and in the case of a COVID-19 outbreak shared with NHS Track and Trace.

Booking a Visit

It will be necessary for visits to be booked with 48 hours notice. It is expected that there will be high demand for visiting whilst the number who may visit simultaneously has been reduced to maintain safety. Initially patients will be permitted two visits per week whilst demand is gauged.

The process for booking a visit will remain unchanged however you will be asked about your health and travel history to assess risk.

Alternatives to Visiting

Whilst the Trust will endeavour to facilitate all requests for approved visitors to visit in person in a way that protects you, the individual you visit, other patients and staff mitigating the risks of contracting COVID-19 it is important to state that visits are at your own risk. Alternative means of contact such as virtual visits remain available should you not wish to visit in person.

 

 

Special School Nurses

  • This service is still available within educational settings; please see here for the full schools listing and relevant contact numbers.

 

Talk Liverpool

We continue to accept referrals but have suspended all courses and face to face appointments. We will instead offer assessment and treatment via telephone, on-line therapy via the SilverCloud programme and virtual face to face therapy via Attend Anywhere.

To be accepted onto Talk Liverpool, an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service, you need to be registered to a Liverpool GP and aged 16 years of older.

To see what services they offer and who is appropriate to access those services go to their Can We Help You? web page.

If you are concerned about an existing appointment or having problems referring online please contact Talk Liverpool on 0151 228 2300. 

 

Treatment Rooms Service

In response to COVID- 19 the Treatment Room service reduced the clinics to four key sites across Liverpool and South Sefton:

  • South Liverpool Treatment Centre, Church Road, Garston, L19
  • Everton Road Health Centre, Everton Road, L6
  • Breeze Hill Medical Centre, 1 Rice Lane, L9
  • Sefton Road Clinic,67 Sefton Road, L21.

As part of the phased reopening of services a further four clinics will open as follows

 

Clinic 

Date reopening

Bootle Health Centre  Park St, Bootle L20 3RF 

17 August

Dovecot  Health Centre, Longreach Rd, L14 0NL

 

Morning clinics from the 17 August. Full days from 31 August

Childwall Fiveways Health Centre,

215 Childwall Rd, Liverpool L15 6UT

7 September

Picton Neighbourhood and Children’s Centre,  Health Centre, 137 Earle Rd, Liverpool L7 6HD

7 September

 

Referrals are still being accepted to the service.

 

Liverpool residents

 

Once you have been referred by your GP or other heath professional call our central booking line:

  • Booking line: 0300 790 0142 between 9am and 8pm

 

Sefton residents

 

  • Booking line: 0151 475 4007 between 9am and 8pm

 

Please allow 24 hours for referrals to be processed.

If you have an appointment, you will be contacted and triaged to assess if you are able to attend one of the key sites or arrange a home visit if required.

Urgent Mental Health Support

Our 24-hour helpline enables people with mental health needs to receive support on 0151 296 7200. The service offers 24/7 contact line for primary care colleagues for urgent/emergency referrals for mental health assessments.

Vaccination and Immunisation Service

The service has started a phased reopening from 25 June and the Vaccination and Immunisation service has resumed for the following school programmes:

  • School leaver booster Men ACWY
  • HPV

Parents/carers of year 8 and above school pupils will receive communication from their school and asked to contact the Vaccination and Immunisation team to book a school appointment. These appointments will be limited due to social distancing measures.

If you have any questions or need further information please contact the vaccination and immunisation team between 9am and 4.30pm. Outside of these hours, please leave a message:

  •  Vaccination and Immunisation team: 0151 295 3833.

 

Walk In Centres

We now have a telephone triage and appointment system. Before coming to the Walk-In Centre you should call 0300 100 1004. 

We will ask questions about your health and you will be given an appointment at an appropriate walk in centre.

The city walk-in centre based at the Beat, 6 David Lewis St, Liverpool, L1 4AF, will be temporarily closed but walk in centres will remain operational from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week at the following three sites:

  • Old Swan walk-in centre, Crystal Close, L13
  • Garston walk-in centre, at South Liverpool Treatment Centre, Church Road, L19
  • Smithdown children’s walk-in centre, Smithdown Road, L15 (aged under 16 years of age).

Patients should call before attending: 0300 100 1004 (you will also be asked about potential symptoms of COVID-19).

Following the telephone triage with a clinician, patients will be provided with a defined appointment time for further assessment and treatment at the most appropriate walk-in centre.

As from Monday 27 April 2020, the three operational Liverpool NHS walk in centres will have an advanced paediatric or general paediatric nurse on duty at each site. This clinical enhancement means regardless of which NHS walk in centre parents and carers are directed to for treatment and care of under 16 year olds, children will be seen by a specialist children’s nurse.

This aims to provide equitable access to specialist children’s nurses across the city and reduce travel time for parents and carers.

 

Ward 35

Ward 35 at Aintree Hospital has temporarily suspended visiting.

Whalley

Visiting has currently been suspended at Whalley.

 

Alternatives to Visiting

Whilst the Trust will endeavour to facilitate all requests for approved visitors to visit in person in a way that protects you, the individual you visit, other patients and staff mitigating the risks of contracting COVID-19 it is important to state that visits are at your own risk. Alternative means of contact such as virtual visits remain available should you not wish to visit in person.

 

Wheelchair Service (Liverpool)                 

We have begun a phased return to our services following Government guidelines and we will now be operating our clinics at a reduced capacity, as an interim measure, so we can ensure the safety of patients and staff alike prioritising those patients with the most urgent clinical need.

As we resume, it will look and feel different and may take longer because of the demands of ensuring safety, such as the need to reduce patient numbers in waiting areas, additional cleaning and the extensive use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Our staff will be wearing full PPE during your assessment, which includes a mask, gloves and an apron. As always, communication is key and we ask that if this poses a communication difficulty for you please contact the service in advance so the necessary arrangements can be made.

The following service contact numbers remain available for enquiries and repairs:

  • Wheelchair service telephone line: 0151 296 7770
  • Wheelchair repair line: 0151 282 5175

 

Windsor House

We have begun to relax visiting restrictions following the Covid-19 pandemic. Please contact the ward or hospital for specific arrangements. More information about visiting arrangements can be found here.