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Our work on health and fitness
The Seamen’s Hospital Society started out nearly 200 years ago, in response to the increasing number of homeless and impoverished seafarers living on the streets of London after the Napoleonic wars. The Society’s founders established a floating hospital ship to care for seafarers who were sick.
Times have changed in many ways since then but seafaring is still one of the most hazardous of all occupations. Getting fit and healthy and staying fit and healthy while living and working at sea can be challenging, and the health challenges don’t necessarily end when you leave.
To help you live a long, independent and active life, both in work and in retirement, we’re busy expanding the work we do on health and fitness for seafarers. We now have a Health Development Manager, whose job it is to look at ways to support the health and fitness needs of seafarers of all ages.
There are a number of services available now and several new projects in the pipeline.
HELP AVAILABLE NOW
Free physiotherapy for fishermen
Working at sea is one of the most challenging jobs in the UK and the number of work-related injuries is high. Time spent offshore means it can be difficult getting treatment so the Seamen’s Hospital Society is backing free, fast-access physiotherapy treatment for fishermen.
Treatment is available in several locations:
Brixham
We are working with Torbay Care Trust, Torbay Council and the Fishermen’s Mission to promote free physiotherapy services to local fishermen. Simply call the Physiotherapy Department at Brixham and Paignton Hospitals on 01803 881 388, any time between 8.15am and 12 noon, Monday to Friday. You should get an appointment within 3 working days.
 Click here to download a leaflet
Kilkeel
In Northern Ireland we are funding a new service for fishermen in the Kilkeel area, run by Connect Physical Health. Simply call the Connect Physical Health PhysioLine on 0191 247 5000 and make an appointment to speak to a physiotherapist for advice and support.
If they think you need hands-on treatment they’ll arrange for you to see someone locally, at no cost to you. Lines are open 8.30am – 8pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am – 4pm on Friday and 9am to noon on Saturday.
Click here to download a leaflet
Newlyn
The Society has been working with the Harbourside Clinic in Newlyn since 2007, offering physiotherapy to local fishermen. If you think they might be able to help you, contact the clinic direct. If they decide that physio is the right treatment for you, and you’re a fisherman working in the Newlyn area, the clinic will treat you and the Seamen’s Hospital Society will cover the cost.
To find out more call 01736 366224, go to www.harboursidephysiotherapy.co.uk or visit the Harbourside Clinic, Wesley Place, Newlyn TR18 5AZ.
Click here to download a leaflet
Peterhead and Ayrshire
In Scotland we are working with Working Health Services, NHS Scotland and the Fishermen’s Mission to promote free physiotherapy services to fishermen working in the Peterhead area and across Ayrshire. Simply call Working Health Services Grampian on 0800 019 2211 and speak to one of their advisers.
If they think you need hands-on treatment they’ll arrange for you to see someone locally, at no cost to you. Lines are open 9am – 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am – 4.30pm on Friday.
Click here to download a leaflet
Whitby
The Society is now working with the Whitby Physiotherapy Clinic, offering physiotherapy to local working fishermen. If you think they might be able to help you, contact the clinic direct. If they decide that physio is the right treatment for you, and you’re a fisherman working in the Whitby area, the clinic will treat you and the Seamen’s Hospital Society will cover the cost.
To find out more call 07933 223432, email t.skedd@sky.com or visit the Whitby Physiotherapy Clinic, St Hilda’s Business Centre, The Ropery, Whitby, YO22 4ET.
Free physiotherapy for merchant seafarers
A similar scheme is also available to serving merchant navy ratings who are UK residents. The service is being run by Connect Physical Health on behalf of the Seamen's Hospital Society. Simply call the Connect Physical Health PhysioLine on 0191 247 5000 and make an appointment to speak to a physiotherapist for advice and support.
If they think you need hands-on treatment they’ll arrange for you to see someone locally, at no cost to you. Lines are open 8.30am – 8pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am – 4pm on Friday and 9am to noon on Saturday.
Click here to download a leaflet
Better Health for Older Seafarers scheme for Merseyside
Based at Nautilus’ Mariners Park complex in Wallasey, we have a health adviser focusing specifically on the health needs of former seafarers throughout the Merseyside area. This is a collaborative project involving several maritime organisations and is jointly funded by the Society and other partners.
If you are a former seafarer in the Merseyside area you can get in touch with Sylvia on 0151 639 8454, 0781 075246 or scheater@nautilusint.org.
Click here to download a leaflet
Health Trainer for the fishing community in Bridlington
Sponsored by the Society, NHS Humber now has a part-time Health Trainer working directly with fishermen and their families in Bridlington and the surrounding area. This is a free service providing one-to-one advice and support on a range of health issues including smoking cessation, healthy eating and alcohol reduction. For more information contact Paula Rooke on freephone 0800 917 7752 or email Paula.rooke@humber.nhs.uk
Seafarers’ Fitness Guide
Published in association with The Physical Initiative, this guide aims to help serving seafarers get fit and stay fit through a diet and exercise programme.
Click here to download a copy of the guide
Hospital treatment at the Dreadnought
The Dreadnought is based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London and offers a range of treatments for those working at sea. It is run by the NHS with support from the Society.
Find out more about the Dreadnought Medical Service
Disability aids
The Society also provides grants for health related items such as disability aids, stair lifts, electrically powered vehicles, riser/recliner chairs and adapted bathrooms.
Find out more abour grants to individuals
Respite care
The Society can also sometimes fund respite care. Find out more about respite care
Find out more about respite care
To find out more
To find out more about help available now, call us on 020 8858 3696, email admin@seahospital.org.uk or write to us at 29 King William Walk, Greenwich, London SE10 9HX.
COMING SOON
Mini Manual for Fishermen
Being developed in collaboration with the Men's Health Forum, this is a guide on a range of health issues, specifically aimed at fishermen.
FUTURE PROJECTS
The Society is involved in developing several projects for the future, working in partnership with other maritime organisations, and on behalf of the Maritime Charities Funding Group (MCFG).
To find out more
To find out more about our future work in this area contact the Health Development Manager on 020 8858 3696 or email admin@seahospital.org.uk
Find out more about our development work with the MCFG
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