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Sutton MSK app

Sutton MSK app

Need help with your Joint or Muscle Problems.

The Sutton MSK app (powered by getUBetter) is provided free of charge by South West
London ICS for patients registered at The Old Court House Surgery. It can be accessed on a
Smartphone or on the Web, and guides you day-by-day through a sequence of exercises, tips, and support to help you recover from a range of new,  recurrent or long term conditions:

  • Lower back pain
  • Back and leg pain
  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Ankle pain
  • Knee pain
  • Soft Tissue Lower Limb pain
  • Hip pain
  • Women’s Pelvic Floor Health

You will be referred to the app by one of our Clinicians or Physios, or you can self-refer by
clicking on  this link  or the App image above.

Please use an email address that is unique to you and select the condition you need help to manage. We will then send you an email with all the information you need to get started.
You can download the Sutton MSK App to your Smartphone for easiest access, or you can
use the Webapp.

If you develop another condition, select your new condition from within the app and it will be added to your account.

The app will also connect you to your local treatment, healthcare providers or support
services, if needed, such as Physiotherapy.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is designed to unify women and men all across the world who have been victims of domestic violence. It is important to recognize that domestic violence impacts millions of people, and it’s not only women who are victims; many men suffer domestic violence as well.

It is a problem across every status, culture, religion, and race. There are many different forms of domestic violence as well, which is why raising awareness is so critical.

History Of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence first started Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1981. Back then, it was a Day Of Unity. However, it quickly evolved into a full week. Then, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month took place in 1987.

There have been some significant moments in society over the years with regard to domestic violence. In 1994, the Violence Against Women Act was passed. This was led by Senator Joe Biden, and it is considered a landmark in our fight against domestic violence. The legislation was put in place to ensure that victims received services and programs and that offenders were held accountable. There are great efforts all around the world in order to reduce domestic violence, but there is still a lot that needs to be done, which is why Domestic Violence Awareness Month is so important.

Signs You Are In An Abusive Relationship

A lot of people do not realize that they are in an abusive relationship. Here are some of the signs that you could be in an abusive relationship that you need to get out of…

  • Your partner sexually or physically abuses you. If they ever make you have sex with them when you don’t want to, hit you, shove you, or push you, this is domestic abuse.
  • Your partner threatens you or your family.
  • Your partner puts your down. They attack your capabilities, mental health, looks, or intelligence. They blame you for their violent outbursts.
  • Your partner is jealous. They may isolate you from your family or friends or they may accuse you of not being faithful.
  • Your partner is possessive. They may check up on you all of the time and they may get angry if you hang out with certain people.
  • Your partner has strangled you, beat you, or hit you in the past.

Emotional Abuse

When we talk about raising awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it’s important that we acknowledge emotional abuse. This is a much bigger problem than a lot of people realize. Just because you don’t have bruises on your skin does not mean you are not being abused. A lot of women and men suffer from emotional abuse, and it is no less destructive. Unfortunately, emotional abuse is often overlooked or minimized, even by those experiencing this.

Emotional abusers look to chip away at your feelings of independence and self-worth. You can end up feeling like you do not have anything without your abusive partner or that there is no way out of your relationship.

Emotional abuse includes verbal abuse. This includes controlling behaviour, intimidation, isolation, shaming, blaming, name-calling, and yelling. Abusers who use psychological or emotional abuse will often throw about threats of physical violence, as well as other repercussions if you do not do what they demand.

The scars of emotional abuse run deep, and they are very real! You may assume that physical abuse is a lot worse, as people can end up with physical wounds and send you to the hospital. However, emotional abuse can be just as damaging. Sometimes, it can even be worse. This is why it is important to raise awareness of all types of domestic violence and abuse.

Financial abuse is one of the subtler forms of emotional abuse. Some examples of this include:

  • Taking your money or stealing from your.
  • Sabotaging your job – calling constantly or making you miss work.
  • Preventing you from choosing your own career or working.
  • Restricting you to an allowance.
  • Withholding basic necessities, such as shelter, medications, clothes, and food.
  • Making you account for every penny you spend.
  • Withholding credit cards or money.
  • Rigidly controlling your finances.

How To Observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month

There are a number of different ways that you can observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month. One option is to spread awareness about domestic violence, including the impact it has on people and how to spot the signs. This is something that you can do from your computer. You can post messages on social media so that your friends, family, and followers learn about domestic violence. You may also decide to host an event.

Fundraising is another thing that you can do in order to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month. From bake sales to fun runs, there are many different events that you can organize in order to raise awareness about domestic violence and raise funds for victims too. You don’t have to opt for a community event either. You may decide to simply have some friends and family around your home and host a wine tasting evening or a cook-off. You can then raise awareness about domestic violence and ask people to donate.

Speaking Up If You Think Someone Is Being Abused

If you think that someone you know is being abused, it is important to speak up. A lot of people worry that it is none of their business, yet you could save a person’s life by speaking up. It’s better to speak up, even if you’re wrong, rather than saying nothing at all.

Simply talk to the person in private and let them know that you are concerned. Mention the signs and why it has worried you. Tell them that you will honour their privacy if they open up to you, and tell them that you can help them in any way possible. Often, people in domestic relationships need someone to help them out of the situation, and so one conversation can make all of the difference.

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day

For this year’s World Mental Health Day the Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign is focusing on “What works for me”, demonstrating how different actions can help us with our mental wellbeing, with a variety of simple tips offered by the NHS endorsed.

Mind Plan quiz that shows ‘there are little things we can all do to look after our mental health’.

CQC Report

CQC Report

The CQC is the independent regulator of all health and adult social care in England.

The Old Court House Surgery has been rated ‘Good’ by the CQC. See the report.

If you’re 16 plus, it’s time to get your jab

If you’re 16 plus, it’s time to get your jab

Are you 16 or 17 years old, or do you have youngsters of that age group in your family?

If so, the great news is that you are now able to get your first Covid-19 jab. That means you can start – or go back to – college in September with increased protection against Covid-19.

You can find all the details of where you can get vaccinations here. You can also arrange to have a confidential chat with a GP and ask for a pre-booked appointment at a centre.

You may not be used to having vaccinations and be a bit worried about needles. If that’s the case, take a moment to reassure yourself with our key facts here.

Getting vaccinated is the single most important step we can take to protect ourselves, our families and our communities against Covid-19. So, if you’re 16 or 17, don’t delay get jabbed today!

Coming to terms with Covid-19 recovery

Coming to terms with Covid-19 recovery

Many people recovering from COVID-19 are still coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both their body and mind and are still trying to shake off the effects of the virus.

The symptoms are wide-ranging and fluctuating, and can include breathlessness, chronic fatigue, “brain fog”, anxiety and stress.

The NHS in South West London has create a web page to share self-help resources and links to local service that are available to people who are experiencing long COVID (which you may also hear referred to as post COVID): www.swlondon.nhs.uk/ourwork/long-covid-recovery

You can share your experiences of long COVID with Healthwatch via the links at the bottom of the web page, to help improve the support and services that are available.