Health and Social Care

Accidents

Accidents at work and dangerous occurrences are investigated. The outcome of these enquiries usually involves giving advice to the employer. If a blatant breach of requirements is identified as the main reason for the accident happening, then formal action may be taken.

Air - Air Pollution

Environmental Protection handles complaints about smoke, dust and fumes etc. which is causing nuisance to residents of the district. The Council has powers to require nuisances from air pollution to be stopped.

Air Quality Monitoring

The Environmental Protection service monitors nitrogen oxides at certain fixed sites. It also provides advice on air quality to development control. Additional air quality monitoring may be undertaken from time to time for Mendip's Air Quality Review & Assessment Process required by DEFRA.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase III

Phase III is a structured 8 week exercise and education programme for those who have suffered a heart attack or undergone heart surgery

Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase IV

A 12 week structured exercise programme for those who have suffered a heart attack or undergone heart surgery. It usually follows on from Phase III cardiac rehabilitation.

Community Transport Schemes

Community Transport is available for people who cannot use public transport due to a disability or do not have access to public transport.

Disabilities and Equality

This service provides advice, information and support relating to equality issues to the Council, partner organisations, service providers and members of the public. The service is also responsible for the delivery of the Mendip Shopmobility Scheme.

Disabled Facilities Grants

The Disabled Facilities Grants is a mandatory grant to help people with disabilities to remain in their own homes by providing adaptations or specialist facilities.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments are designed to help Housing and Council Tax Benefit claimants who require further financial help with their housing costs.

Flexercise

We are able to train and support staff and volunteers to lead seated chair based activity programmes for the elderly and the disabled.

Food Hygiene Training

Everyone who prepares food at work, or supervises staff who prepare food, needs to be trained to ensure that they are working in accordance with the current law and accepted good practice. To help you achieve this the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health's (CIEH) offers various food hygiene courses.

Food Poisoning

Food poisoning or more generally food-borne disease can be an unpleasant illness. Typically symptoms included vomiting, diarrohea, stomach cramps and fever.

GP Referral Exercise Programmes

The GP Referral Exercise Programmes are 12 week exercise programmes based at all Leisure Centres in Mendip.

Health and Safety - Complaints

Complaints about working conditions are always investigated sensitively and the complainant's confidentiality is assured. Such matters are usually resolved by giving advice to the employer, but as with accident investigations, if formal action is deemed necessary then this will be taken.

Health Is Your Business

Mendip Primary Care Trust and Mendip District Council are working in partnership and have launced a a new initiative to provide free guidance and support to help employers to comply with workplace legislation, access support and training and gain up-to-date information of health related issues.

Healthy Back Classes

This is an exciting project involving Physiotherapists and Fitness Instructors working together to provide circuit based classes for those with lower back problems. Usually clients will be referred by a health professional although you can self refer into the classes and gym based programmes. You need to ring the Leisure Centre of your choice to arrange for a pre-exercise health questionnaire to be completed prior to you beginning the classes.(see the Healthy Back Class leaflet for contact details)

Healthy Options Programme

Healthy Options is a physical activity programme for adults accessing specialist mental health services in Frome and Wells. It is known that regular physical activity has huge benefits for people who suffer particularly with anxiety and depression.

Homefinder Somerset Choiced Based Lettings (CBL)

The way social housing is allocated across the district is set to change in 2008.

Infectious Diseases

Some infectious diseases not spread by the consumption of contaminated food or water are investigated by this council.

Radon

Environmental Protection provides details of likely radon levels within buildings and advice on any remedial action that might be necessary.

Shopmobility

Shopmobility is a service which provides, on loan, manual and electric wheelchairs and electric scooters and is available to anyone who has problems with mobility.

Signposts

Signposts is Somerset's Health, Disability and Community Care Information Service.

Smokefree - Health Act 2006

From 1 July 2007, England goes Smokefree. This means that smoking will no longer be allowed in workplaces and public places that are 'enclosed' or 'substantially enclosed'. In addition the legislation will also mean that smoking will no longer be allowed on public transport or in vehicles used for work by more than one person. The reason why the law has been introduced is to protect the public and employees from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

Somerset County Council - Care Direct

Care Direct is a service for people aged 60 and over and their carers and relatives.