Useful Contacts

NHS Choices A portal to the NHS online, with information about all conditions, self-help, and information about available treatment options. An excellent site.

http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx


NHS Direct Provides advice on current problems, from swine flu to headaches, and also direct numbers to discuss problems.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/


NHS Essex Your local PCT’s website. Information about local ventures, and the local implementation of national strategies.

http://www.see-pct.nhs.uk/


Relate Relate Provides information about relationships, sex, family counselling and counselling for persons of all ages. Has local links and lots of self help with ‘life-skills’

http://www.relate.org.uk/home/index.html


Mind Excellent website about mental health. Information about conditions and links to local groups and has a mental health info line ‘mindoinfoline’, which you can speak to a person about your condition

http://www.mind.org.uk/


Atrium Clininc and Therapy Centre Southend’s local mental health providers’ website, with local information about appointments and accessing services, counselling and fact-sheets about coping with conditions such as grief, anger, stress and depression

http://www.atriumclinic.co.uk/


Essex Works Essex County Council’s local website, with information from rubbish collection, police, travel to becoming a guardian

http://www.essex.gov.uk


Social Services: Essex County Council’s, social service site, with information about adoption, social care, children and young people.

http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/ECCWebsite/dis/sec.jsp?oid=170


Refuge:  For women and children, the site provides information and contact numbers to call if you suffer from violence or other forms of abuse. Has lots of further useful links.

http://refuge.org.uk/


Samaritans Provides emotional, confidential non-judgmental support for any problem big or small.

http://www.samaritans.org/


Southend General Hospital Southend General Hospital’s website, with lots of information about the hospital and services provided.

http://www.southend.nhs.uk/


Basildon Hospital:  Information about the hospital and services

http://www.basildonandthurrock.nhs.uk/


Essex Police:  Website for essex police. With advice and contact numbers

http://www.essex.police.uk/


Citizens Advice Bureau Advice about just about everything required about living in the UK, including money matters, housing, health and immigration.

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/


Department of Works and Pensions:  Information about work, allowances, and benefits.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/


DVLA Information about driving, and the implications of certain conditions on driving.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/

 

 

Medical

Patient An extremely useful website with lots of information about common ailments, treatments and remedies, everything from tinnitus to the menopause.

http://www.patient.co.uk/


Parkinsons General advice for both patient and career with a review of recent research and links to local services

http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/


Stroke Association Information about strokes and treatment, in addition to an active forum for stroke patients.

http://www.stroke.org.uk/


British Heart Foundation Lots of information about all hear problems be rare or common. Advice and lots of links to videos and current research areas

http://www.bhf.org.uk/default.aspx


Diabetes Primarily aimed at patients with diabetes, provides lots of tips and tricks for juggling diabetes with every day life, from products to help your feet to current research.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/


Dementia  Alzheimer’s Society: An excellent site with information for patients and careers with all type of dementia (not just Alzheimers) With local links and practical advice

http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/index.php


British Lung Foundation A comprehensive site catering with all aspects of lung conditions, from COPD, to lung cancer, giving information

http://www.lunguk.org/


Age Concern Lots of practical advice and fact-sheets from tax credit to living abroad. Has lots of local of links.

http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/


Glasgow Steps:  A self-help site, split into 3 easy to understand section, information, assessment and self-help. Caters for problems such as depression, anger, anxiety and poor sleep.

http://www.glasgowsteps.com/


AnxietyUK:  Lots of information about anxiety, including PTSD, social phobias among a few. Practical advice with useful information.

http://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/index.php