National health and illness organisations
NHS Direct
NHS health information service for England (and Scotland), covering all aspects of health, illness and treatments.
Tel: 0845 4647
Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
NHS24 (Scotland)
NHS health information service for England (and Scotland), covering all aspects of health, illness and treatments.
Tel: 08454 242424
Website: www.nhs24.com
British Heart Foundation
The BHF is the largest independent funder of heart research in the UK. As well as playing an important role in funding education, reaching the public and health professionals, they also provide life-saving cardiac equipment and support for rehabilitation and patient care. Their Health Information series, which covers a range of heart and health-related topics, can be ordered or downloaded from their website.
Tel: 020 7935 0185
Email: internet@bhf.org.uk
Freephone Heart Information Line: 08450 70 80 70
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Website: www.bhf.org.uk
British Lung Foundation
The BLF supports people affected by lung disease, helping them to understand their condition. They provide comprehensive and clear information on paper, on the web and on the telephone.
Tel: 08458 50 50 20
Helpline: 08458 50 50 20 Mon-Fri 10am-6pm
Website: www.lunguk.org
Cancerbackup
The UK’s national cancer information and support service staffed by specialist cancer nurses, who answer questions on all aspects of cancer. Also has a range of information, help and advice on cancer, treatments, symptom control and support services.
Freephone: 0808 800 1234
Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm
(an interpretation service is available)
Email: info@cancerbackup.org
Website: www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Cancerbackup has a range of 70 booklets, which are free to anyone affected by cancer. They cover all aspects of cancer, including:
- Controlling cancer pain
- Controlling the symptoms of cancer
- Caring for someone with advanced cancer
- Coping with advanced cancer
- Complementary therapies and cancer
- Coping with fatigue
- Diet and cancer
- Dying with cancer
- The emotional effects of cancer
- Lost for words: how to talk to someone with cancer
- Sexuality and cancer
- Travel and cancer
- Talking about your cancer
Cancerbackup’s range of 300 factsheets includes:
- Ascites (swollen tummy)
- Breathlessness
- Controlling nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Financial issues
- Pleural effusions
Help the Hospices
Help the Hospices is the national charity for the hospice movement.
Tel: 020 7520 8200
Email: info@helpthehospices.org.uk
Website: www.helpthehospices.org.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support
Provides specialist advice practical and financial support through Macmillan nurses and doctors, and financial advice and grants for people with cancer and their families.
Macmillan CancerLine: 0808 808 2020
Macmillan Benefit Helpline: 0808 801 0304
Email: cancerline@macmillan.org.uk
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Runs a UK-wide community nursing service, which works with the district nursing service to support cancer patients and their carers in their homes. Marie Curie Nurses generally work through the night, allowing carers to rest. The charity also runs 10 UK hospices. The service is always free of charge.
Tel: 0800 716 146
Email: info@mariecurie.org.uk
Website: www.mariecurie.org.uk
Carers organisations
Carers UK
Offers information and support to professionals, relatives, and friends who are carers. Local and regional offices with 117 branches covering England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Will put people in contact with support groups for carers in their area.
Carers line: 0808 808 7777
Wed & Thurs 10am-12pm and 2-4pm
Email: info@ukcarers.uk.org
Website: www.carersonline.org.uk
Carers Website
A Department of Health website providing details of the services and benefits affecting carers.
www.carers.gov.uk
Counselling and emotional support organisations
Cancer Counselling Trust
Qualified counsellors and psychotherapists offer free, confidential counselling to anyone affected by cancer.
Tel: 020 7704 1137
Email: support@cctrust.org.uk
Website: www.cctrust.org.uk
CRUSE Bereavement Care
A UK organisation that helps and supports anyone who has been bereaved. Provides advice, counselling and information on practical matters for bereaved people.
Helpline: 0870 167 1677
Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm
RD4U helpline for 12 to 18-year-olds: 0808 808 1677
Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm
Email: info@crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Website: www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Samaritans
Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential and emotional support to anyone going through crisis. There are over 200 branches in the UK and Eire. Local branches can be found in the phone book under ‘Samaritans’.
National number: 08457 909090 (low cost calls)
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
Practical and financial support
British Red Cross
Services include medical equipment loan, transport/escort service, domiciliary emergency personal care, domiciliary respite care, home from hospital and therapeutic care. Can be accessed via the network of local Red Cross branches throughout the UK.
Tel: 020 7245 6315
Email: information@redcross.org.uk
Website: www.redcross.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
An independent network that provides free, impartial information and advice to help anyone to resolve money, legal and other problems. Has offices around the UK.
For contact details of your nearest CAB, phone 020 7833 2181. Details will also be in your local phone book.
Website: www.adviceguide.org.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support
Provides specialist advice practical and financial support through Macmillan nurses and doctors, and financial advice and grants for people with cancer and their families.
Macmillan CancerLine: 0808 808 2020
Macmillan Benefit Helpline: 0808 801 0304
Email: cancerline@macmillan.org.uk
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
National Association of Funeral Directors
The NAFD monitors standards of funeral directors in the UK and gives help and advice on what to do in the event of a death. Also advises on arranging funerals and has information on what you should expect from a funeral director.
Helpline: 0845 230 1343
Website: www.nafd.org.uk
Pain control organisations
The British Pain Society
Gives information on pain, and pain management clinics.
Tel: 020 7631 8870
Email: info@painsociety.org
Website: www.britishpainsociety.org
Pain Concern
Gives information about pain control and support for people with pain, and their carers. Has a listening ear helpline, which gives an opportunity to talk to another person with pain. Has pain management leaflets.
Tel: 01620 822572
Email: painconcern@btinternet.com
Website: www.painconcern.org.uk
Pain Relief Foundation
Will send an information pack about pain; send an SAE and £1,
or download free of charge from their website.
Tel: 0151 529 5820
Email: secretary@painrelieffoundation.org.uk
Website: www.painrelieffoundation.org.uk
Complementary therapy organisations
British Complementary Medicine Association
Can send a list of complementary medicine practitioners who belong to complementary therapy organisations. Cannot provide information on which therapies to use.
Tel: 0845 345 5977
Email: info@bcma.co.uk
Website: www.bcma.co.uk
British Holistic Medical Association (BHMA)
Can send details of members, a self-help tape list and quarterly magazine, Holistic Health.
Tel: 01273 725951
Email: admin@bhma.org
Website: www.bhma.org
Institute for Complementary Medicine
Can send information on local complementary therapists. Aims to increase the quality of health by ensuring the best possible natural treatments are available.
Tel: 0207 237 5165
Email: icm@icmedicine.co.uk
Website: www.icmedicine.co.uk
