A Few Words of Wisdom

Useful Contacts

There are many hundreds of organisations and support services providing information and advice on health related issues. The quick list here identifies some of the major groups that will be a useful first point of contact. If you can't find the organisation you need, call one of the organisations listed under General information who will be able to direct you to the organisations you need.

General Information

Community health council; Local health council (Scotland); Central Services Agency (N. Ireland) number in local phone book

Department of Health (Public Enquiry Office).
Tel: 020 7210 4850
Web: www.open.gov.uk/doh/dhhome.htm

Health Information Service.
Tel: 0800 66 55 44

Health Education Authority Customer Services.
Tel: 01235 465 565
Web: www.hea.org.uk

Health Literature Line (Department of Health).
Tel: 0800 555 777
Web: www.open.gov.uk/doh/dhhome.htm

The Patient's Association.
Tel: 020 8423 8999

Disabled People and Careers

Carers' National Association.
Tel: 0345 573 369

Dial UK: (disability advice)
Tel: 01302 310 123

Drug Abuse and Addiction

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Tel: 01904 644 026

Drinkline (The National Alcohol Helpline).
Tel: 0345 320 202

National Drugs Helpline.
Tel: 0800 77 66 00

QUIT (Smokers' Quitline).
Tel: 0800 00 22 00

Older People

Age Concern.
Tel: 020 8679 8000
Web: www.ace.org.uk

Help the Aged.
Tel: 020 7729 2229
Web: www.helptheaged.org.uk

First Aid and Accident Prevention

British Red Cross.
Tel: 020 7235 5454
Web: www.redcross.org.uk

St John's Ambulance.
Tel: 020 7235 5231
Web: www.sja.org.uk

Health Advice

British Diabetic Association.
Tel: 020 7636 6112
Web: www.diabetes.org.uk

British Heart Foundation.
Tel: 020 7935 0185
Web: www.bhf.org.uk

Blood and Organ Donation

National Blood Donor Service.
Tel: 0345 711 711

British Organ Donor Society.
Tel: 01223 89 36 36

Mental Health

The Samaritans.
Tel: 0345 90 90 90

Menthol Crystals

Add to hot water to make steam inhalations for treating catarrh and dry or painful coughs.

Sexual Health and Contraception

Family Planning Association.
Tel: 020 7837 4044

National AIDS Helpline.
Tel: 0800 567 123
Web: www.nat.org.uk