Who else can help?
NHS Choices
Web: www.nhs.uk
Advice on all aspects of NHS services including carers’ benefits and changing your GP.
NHS Direct (England)
Tel: 0845 46 47
Web: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
24 hour health advice.
NHS Direct (Wales)
Tel: 0845 46 47
Web: www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
24 hour health advice.
NHS 24 (Scotland)
Tel: 0845 24 24 24
Web: www.nhs24.com
24 hour health advice.
NICE
Tel: 0845 003 7780
Web: www.nice.org.uk
NICE is the NHS body responsible for producing national guidance on health technologies and treatments. NICE assesses technologies for their clinical and cost-effectiveness. Once it has recommended a medicine, the NHS is obliged to make it available for patients.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Web: www.pals.nhs.uk
Available in all NHS trust hospitals to provide patients with information about the NHS; resolve concerns or problems when using the NHS; provide information about the NHS complaints procedure and how to get independent help if you decide you may want to make a complaint; provide information and help introduce you to agencies and support groups outside the NHS.
Independent Complaints Advocacy Services (ICAS)
North East: 0300 465 8348
Yorkshire and Humberside: 0845 120 3734
North West: 0845 120 3735
West Midlands: 0845 120 3748
South West: 0845 120 3782
London: 0845 120 3784
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire: 0845 456 1082
Essex: 0845 456 1083
Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk: 0845 456 1084
South East: 0845 600 8616
East Midlands: 0845 650 0088
Email: pohwericas@pohwericas.net
Web: www.pohwer.net
Supports patients and their carers wishing to pursue a complaint about their NHS treatment or care.
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Tel: 0345 015 4033
Web: www.ombudsman.org.uk
If a patient is not happy with how an NHS trust responds to their complaint, they can ask the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to look into their case.
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
4 Melville Street
Edinburgh EH3 7NS
Tel: 0800 377 7330
Text: 0790 049 4372
Fax: 0800 377 7331
Email: ask@spso.org.uk
Web: www.spso.org.uk
The SPSO is the final stage for complaints about organisations providing public services in Scotland.
The Local Government Ombudsman
PO Box 4771
Coventry CV4 0EH
Tel: 0845 602 1983 or 0300 061 0614
Fax: 024 7682 0001
Email: advice@lgo.org.uk
Web: www.lgo.org.uk
If you have made a complaint about social care and are not happy with the response from your local care service, you can ask the Local Government Ombudsman to look at the complaint.
BACP
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
BACP House
15 St John’s Business Park
Lutterworth
Leicestershire LE17 4HB
Tel: 01455 883 316 or 01455 883 300
Email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
Web: www.bacp.co.uk
They have an online directory to search for a professional counsellor in your area, or you can telephone to be sent a list.
Carers Direct
PO Box 4338
Manchester
M61 0BY
Tel: 0808 802 0202
Email: CarersDirect@nhschoices.nhs.uk
Web: www.nhs.uk/carersdirect
Free, confidential information and advice to help you as a carer. Lines are open 8am - 9pm Monday to Friday, 11am - 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines.
Carers UK
20 Great Dover Street
London
SE1 4LX
Tel: 020 7378 4999
Helpline: 0808 808 7777 Wednesday and Thursday 10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm
Email: info@carersuk.org
Web: www.carersuk.org
Information, advice and support for carers.
Relate
Tel: 0300 100 1234
Web: www.relate.org.uk
Relate offers counseling all over the UK for help with relationship diffi culties.
The Samaritans
Chris
P.O. Box 9090
Stirling
FK8 2SA
Tel: 0845 790 9090
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Web: www.samaritans.org.uk
Confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Support Groups
There are numerous support groups around the UK. Support groups can offer support, counselling and an opportunity for you to share your experience with others. If your local PALS department does not have a link to a local support group, visit our support group directory for details of your nearest organisation.
Council Tax reduction for disabled people
Web: www.direct.gov.uk/Taxreliefandreductions
You may be entitled to a reduction in Council Tax if you are disabled or have a disabled person living with you. Please contact your local office or refer to website.
Department of Work and Pensions
Web: www.dwp.gov.uk/localoffice
Gives details of your local office for advice on benefi ts including bereavement benefits, crisis loans, funeral payments, incapacity benefit and income support.
Disabled Facilities Grants
Web: www.direct.gov.uk/
A Disabled Facilities Grant is a local council grant to help towards the cost of adapting your home to enable you to continue to live there. A grant is paid when the council considers that changes are necessary to meet your needs, and that the work is reasonable and practical. Please contact your local office or refer to website.
The Disability and Carers Service
Benefit Enquiry Line
201 Red Rose House
Lancaster Road
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 1HB
Tel: 0800 882 200
Textphone: 0800 243 355 (for hearing or speech diffi culties)
Email: DCPU.Customer-Services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.dwp.gov.uk
Part of Department of Work and Pensions. Provides financial help to disabled people and carers. Helpline 8.30am - 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am - 1pm on Saturdays.
Age Concern England
Astral House
1268 London Road
London SW16 4ER
Helpline: 0800 009 966
Web: www.ageconcern.org.uk
The UK’s largest charity working with and for older people.
Carers UK
Information, advice and support for carers (see Emotional support section).
Citizens Advice Bureau
Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk and www.adviceguide.org.uk
Provides independent advice on your entitlements and issues like financial problems and complaints about public services.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Tel: 0845 604 6610 (England)
0845 604 5510 (Scotland)
0845 604 8810 (Wales)
Web: www.equalityhumanrights.com
The body responsible for protecting human rights, including promoting equality for people with disabilities.
Direct Gov
Web: www.direct.gov.uk
Government website providing information on public services including the Blue Badge parking scheme and free local bus travel.