Published on: 10th December 2020
Stay at home if you have covid symptoms and get a test as soon as possible.
Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms:
This includes places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.
Use NHS 111 online – the online coronavirus service if you're unsure or need medical advice.
Like the common cold, covid infection usually occurs through close contact with an infected person via cough and sneezes or hand contact. You can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if you don’t wash your hands.
Along with the advice above, here are other ways you can help to stop the spread of covid:
FAQs and more info
The covid vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against covid.
The NHS is currently offering the covid vaccine to people most at risk from covid. Click here to visit the NHS website for more info.
SilverCloud is a free online programme available to people across Greater Manchester. It that can help if you're feeling stressed or anxious, or if you have existing mental health issues. Click here to sign up, or click here to find out more.
Kooth offers free online counselling, mental health and emotional wellbeing support for those aged 11 to 18 years. Click here to find out more.
Our wellbeing page
We've pulled together lots of videos, guides and advice on our dedicated wellbeing page.
This includes things like:
For NHS staff
There are a number of helplines that can support you if you're struggling with your mental health. If there is an immediate risk of harm, you should ring 999.
Our helpline (24/7)
Our patients and carers (of all ages) can call 0800 014 9995 for support.
Shout (24/7 text message support)
Shout is a free text messaging helpline for people of all ages.
Trained volunteers can provide advice in a private, confidential and trusted way,
To get started, text the relevant keyword based on where you live:
Samaritans (24/7)
Call 116 123 (freephone) if you need to talk to someone urgently about how you are feeling.
NHS staff helpline
NHS England have launched a new mental health hotline for staff of all roles and levels.
The phone number is running from 7am to 11pm daily: 0300 131 7000
Or you can text FRONTLINE to 85258 (available 24/7).
Volunteers are on hand to listen to NHS staff and give psychological support, or signpost you if needed.
More helplines
Please click here to visit our helplines page.
With the government announcing restrictions across Greater Manchester, we're having to limit the number of visitors to our wards.
We're sorry about this, but it's to keep patients, their families and carers, and our staff as safe as possible.
Exact visiting information will vary depending on the service and any local restrictions in place. Please contact the ward or unit for info - you can find their contact details using our services search page (click here).
Together GM is a new website by Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which has lots of helpful info about helpful services across the region. Click these link for info on:
Information about the coronavirus is also available as easy read posters, with simple words and pictures:
If you're one of our patients who has been prescribed clozapine, please contact your mental health team if you're experiencing any symptoms of the coronavirus or flu.
There are a range of covid research studies taking place across the country which you are more than welcome to take part in. Click here to see a full list of the studies.