Meet the Health Team

We are a team of doctors, nurses and support staff who work with social workers, teachers, foster carers and young people to help keep you healthy and fit.

We are based at Wooden Spoon house, in Kennington, South London. We travel around Lambeth seeing young people for their medicals.

We also work with Health Visitors, school nurses and GPs, who you can also see for your health assessment.

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Why do I need to see a doctor if I’m not sick?

When you are looked after Social Care has to make sure that you are well looked after and healthy. Why? If you were living with your family, they would need to do the same. It is your social worker and carer/key worker’s job to make sure that you are healthy.

The best way to check your health is if you see a doctor once a year for a check up. The law says that all children and young people who are looked after should see a doctor once a year for a ‘health assessment’ or ‘looked after medical’. The doctor you see works especially with looked after children and the health team make sure all children and young people who are looked after are seeing a doctor when they should. If you are under five, you will see a doctor twice a year for a health assessment.

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What will happen when I go to the doctor?

You will have the chance to speak to a specially trained doctor or nurse about your physical and emotional health. This means things happening with your body, and also about your feelings.

You can have your weight and height checked if you want to.

You can ask about anything at all – something that is worrying you, or anything else you might want to know about.

The doctor or nurse will also check that you have had your immunizations (jabs), and dentist checks.

It is the doctor and nurses job to make sure that everything about your health is okay.

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What if I don’t want to see the doctor?

Is there is a reason why you don’t want to see the doctor – maybe you feel uncomfortable, maybe you are worried that they will tell other people about your health?

You can see the looked after nurse. She can come and visit you where you are living.

You can go to your own GP if you would prefer – if that is the case just let your social worker know.

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Is it confidential – who will know about my medical?

When you go to see the doctor or nurse, they have to write down what is happening with your health. They will give a copy of this to your social worker and GP.

Sometimes this will be shared with your parents and/or foster carer if they need to know about anything your health – to make sure they help you to stay healthy and well!

Anything you say to the doctor or nurse is confidential. Sometimes there are things they will have to tell other people to make sure you are safe - they will always talk to you about anything they think they have to discuss with others first so that you know.

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What about my teeth?

You will need to go to the dentist at least once a year to have your teeth checked – we want to make sure you have a healthy smile.

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What about my eyes?

You will need to go to the optician at least once a year. They are special doctors that check your eye sight.

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Image of fruitEating Healthy!

Eating the right foods will give you the energy you need if you want to exercise, go out with your friends or if you just need a boost to get up off the sofa!

Four top tips to keep up your energy levels:

  1. Always eat breakfast – if you are in a hurry grab a piece of fruit!
  2. Eat regularly
  3. Eat foods rich in iron – things like wholegrain cereals, leafy green vegetables, dried fruits and baked beans.
  4. Drink lots of water every day.

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Image of table footballHealthy Habits tips:

Just like brushing your teeth, healthy habits should be cultivated on a daily basis. The following is a guide to daily tasks:

  1. Activity should be a daily occurrence. Walk, run or jump for a minimum total of 20 minutes a day.
  2. Protect your skin. Sun block should be applied on face, neck, arms and hands even in the dead of winter. Moisturize skin daily.
  3. Eat fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat dairy products and small amounts of protein. Avoid sweets and other processed foods.
  4. Meditate or spend a minimum of five minutes daily in quiet time.
  5. Find your spiritual self. Discover what inspires you, raises your level of consciousness, motivates you, and satisfies your soul.
  6. Exercise your brain. Read, study, solve problems, and learn new skills. As does the body, the brain wastes away with lack of use.
  7. Hug a friend.

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Delicious recipes

Blueberry Smoothie

  • 1/4 cup blueberries, frozen
  • 1 Banana
  • 8 oz Vanilla Yogurt, fat free
  • 2 tbsp pineapple orange juice
  • 6-10 ice cubes

Directions:
1. Place all ingredients in blender, and blend.

Servings: Two 8oz servings
Per serving: Calories 126, Protein 7g, Carbohydrates 26g, Fat 0g, Fibre 3.8g

Fabulous Fruit Salad

  • 1 can pineapple chunks, drained with juice reserved
  • 1 apple - peeled, cored and diced
  • 1 orange - peeled, diced and juice reserved
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • 1 cup seedless green grapes, halved

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, toss together the pineapple, apple, orange, banana and grapes.
2. Add the juice from the pineapple and orange and let chill until serving.

6 Servings
106 calories; .4g fat; 1g Protein; 2.6g Fibre; 27.1g Carbohydrate; 1mg Sodium; 0mg Cholesterol

Rice With Vegetables

What you will need:

  • 1 15oz can Stewed Tomatoes
  • 1 15oz can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables, frozen
  • 1 cup water
  • ¾ cup instant Brown Rice
  • ½ teaspoon thyme
  • 1 10oz can condensed Tomato Soup
  • 1/3 cup Almonds, slivered
  • ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Cook it!

  1. Combine un-drained tomatoes, beans, vegetables, water, uncooked rice and thyme in a large skillet. Bring to a boil then reduce heat.
  2. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Stirring occasionally.
  3. Add tomato soup and almonds. Stir and simmer for 3 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.

Serves 4. Per serving: Calories 354, Fat 10g, Protein 19g, Carbohydrate 57g, Cholesterol 8mg.

Optional: Add a dash of hot pepper sauce

Cajun Chicken

What you will need:

  • 2 boneless chicken breasts, skinless
  • 1/4 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. Skim milk
  • 1/4 tsp. each white, red and black pepper
  • non-fat cooking spray

Cook it!

  1. Preheat oven to 190 degrees.
  2. Rinse chicken and pat dry.
  3. Spray pan with non-fat cooking spray.
  4. Place chicken on pan, meaty side up.
  5. Brush chicken breasts with milk.
  6. Sprinkle garlic over the tops of chicken breasts.
  7. Mix onion powder, thyme, and white, red, and black pepper in a small bowl.
  8. Sprinkle mixture over chicken.
  9. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes.

Makes 2 servings.

Approximate Nutritional Breakdown Per Serving: Cal 267, Pro 53g, Carb 1.5, Fat 6g, Fibre 0.

Tip: Serve with lemon wedge, red pepper slices and sprig of parsley, as garnish.

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ADVICE FROM TEENS: 10 KEYS TO A GOOD FRIENDSHIP

  1. Pick people who have similar interests as you, so you have things in common, but don't rule out people who aren't exactly like you, it's good to keep an open mind.
  2. Remember the Golden Rule - treat others the way you would like to be treated. If you respect others, others will respect you.
  3. Realize that nobody's perfect, everybody has quirks and flaws, and accepting each other's flaws are key to a good friendship.
  4. Value each other's opinions.
  5. Realize that even the best of friends can't be together 24/7. Develop other interests and don't be jealous when your friend has other interests as well.
  6. Communication is really important, your friend can't read your mind, if something is affecting your friendship, tell him/her.
  7. Don't let outside factors like stress affect your friendship. A good friend will let you vent to them, but don’t just use them to vent, and you should be ready to listen in return.
  8. Learn from each other.
  9. Don't talk behind your friend's back.
  10. Choose your words wisely, because you can never take them back.

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ADVICE FROM TEENS: 10 WAYS TO DEAL WITH A TRAUMATIC EVENT

  1. Write down your feelings and observations in a journal
  2. Draw
  3. Help out someone or volunteer for something
  4. Build on your "support system" - hang out with friends and family
  5. Learn from the traumatic event - has anything positive come out of it?
  6. Try not to let it interfere - try to do all your normal activities
  7. Exercise
  8. Meditate
  9. Eat well
  10. Get plenty of sleep
  11. Turn to your religion for comfort (pray, meditate)
  12. Have fun and try to escape sometimes (like going to the movies, working on a hobby)
  13. Don’t rely on alcohol or drugs
  14. Make a plan with your family/carer or friends about what you would do in the event of a tragedy.

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ADVICE FROM TEENS: 10 WAYS TO GET A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP

  1. Listen to soothing music.
  2. Set up a routine. Go to bed at the same time every night.
  3. Read a book of your choice.
  4. Do some light exercise.
  5. Consider aromatherapy.
  6. Shower before bed.
  7. Don't eat sugar or caffeine before you sleep.
  8. Try to avoid heavy meals before bedtime.
  9. Don't face the clock while you try to sleep so it doesn't distract you.
  10. Use breathing exercises to relax you.

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Image of a footballADVICE FROM TEENS: 10 WAYS TO DE-STRESS YOUR LIFE!

  1. Stop what you are doing and take several deep breaths. Try to calm down.
  2. Put things in perspective, no matter how bad your situation is, it will get better.
  3. Take time for yourself, do something that makes you feel good, like listening to relaxing music.
  4. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
  5. Try writing in a journal about your feelings, sometimes venting helps.
  6. If you're fighting a deadline, talk to your teacher or boss about getting an extension, then put it to good use, don't leave it until the last minute.
  7. Don't procrastinate, break assignments up into smaller tasks, make a schedule, and stick to it.
  8. Get a stress ball.
  9. RELAX! Take life one day at a time.
  10. If something is really getting to you, take a break, and work on something else.

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7 WAYS TO JUST RELAX!

  1. Sit down. Sometimes taking stress off your feet helps you feel better.
  2. Go for a walk. Getting in touch with nature may make you feel relaxed.
  3. Listen to your favourite music. Doing something you like may help you relax.
  4. Talk to someone/something. Letting out your emotions will help get the stress out of you which will in turn help you relax.
  5. Write. Sometimes writing something for your eyes only will help.
  6. Meditate. It may sound silly but maybe getting in touch with your senses will help.
  7. Work out. When you do something that's fun and helps you look your best you'll feel much more relaxed.

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9 WAYS TO SPEED UP YOUR MORNING RITUAL!

  1. Pick out an outfit for college/work the night before.
  2. Don't skip breakfast; it's the most important meal of the day. Pick something that you can eat on the run.
  3. Eat on the run in a healthy way.
  4. Pack your bag/purse the night before.
  5. If you need to blow-dry your hair, do it the night before.
  6. Know your schedule, if it takes you longer to wake up, either set your alarm for a little earlier than necessary, or set your clock ahead to give yourself some extra time.
  7. Don't leave homework until the morning, print things out when you do them.
  8. Listen to upbeat music to get you moving.
  9. Bottom line: get up on time and get yourself in gear!

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