Useful addresses

We have included the following organisations because, on preliminary investigation, they may be of use to the reader. However, we do not have first-hand experience of each organisation and so cannot guarantee the organisation’s integrity. The reader must therefore exercise his or her own discretion and judgement when making further enquiries.

Association of Blind and Partially Sighted Teachers and Students (ABAPSTAS)

BM Box 6727
London WC1N 3XX
Tel: 01484 690521
Website: www.abapstas.org.uk

Originally supporting visually impaired students, teachers and lecturers, now a national self-help and campaigning organisation with main focus on education and employment. Organises days on study skills, teaching techniques and confidence building.

Age Concern England

Astral House, 1268 London Road London SW16 4ER
Tel: 020 8765 7200
Helpline: 0800 009966
Website: www.ageconcern.org.uk
Researches into the needs of older people and is involved in policy making. Publishes many books and has useful fact sheets on a wide range of issues from benefits to care, and provides services via local branches.

Benefits Enquiry Line

Helpline: 0800 882200
Textphone: 0800 243355
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
N. Ireland: 0800 220674
Government agency giving information and advice on sickness and disability benefits for people with disabilities and their carers.

Blood Pressure Association

60 Cranmer Terrace London SW17 0QS
Tel: 020 8772 4994
Information line: 0845 241 0989 (Mon–Fri 11am–3pm)
Website: www.bpassoc.org.uk
Raises public awareness about, and offers information and support to health-care professionals and people affected by high blood pressure. Has a wide selection of literature and membership scheme. A4 envelope and two first-class stamps requested.

Carers UK

20 Great Street London SE1 4LX
Tel: 020 7378 4999
Carers’ line: 0808 808 7777 (Wed, Thurs 10am–12 noon, 2–4pm)
Website: www.carersuk.org
Offers information and support to all people who are unpaid carers, looking after others with medical or other problems.

Clinical Knowledge Summaries

Sowerby Centre for Health Informatics at Newcastle (SCHIN Ltd) Bede House, All Saints Business Centre Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2ES
Tel: 0191 243 6100
Website: www.cks.library.nhs.uk
A website mainly for GPs giving information for patients listed by disease plus named self-help organisations.

Department of Health (DH)

Richmond House 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS
Tel: 020 7210 4850 (Mon–Fri, 8.30am–5pm)
Textphone: 020 7210 5025 (Mon–Fri, 8.30am–5pm)
Website: www.doh.gov.uk
Produces and distributes literature about general health matters including Health Advice for Travellers, also available on their website. Can apply online for European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) for use when travelling to the EU.

Diabetes UK

Macleod House, 10 Parkway London NW1 7AA
Tel: 020 7424 1000
Helpline: 0845 120 2960 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
Website: www.diabetes.org.uk
Provides valuable advice and information, including translation service, for people with diabetes, whether members or not, and their families. Has local support groups; runs holidays for children and weekends for families. Members receive magazine Balance, free, six times a year.

Disabled Living Foundation

380–384 Harrow Road London W9 2HU
Tel: 020 7289 6111
Helpline: 0845 130 9177 (Mon–Fri 10am–4pm)
Textphone: 020 7432 8009
Website: www.dlf.org.uk
Provides information to disabled and elderly people on all kinds of equipment in order to promote their independence and quality of life.

DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)

DVLA Swansea SA6 7JL
Tel: 0870 600 0301 (Mon–Fri 8am–5.30pm, Sat 8am–1pm)
Website: www.dvla.gov.uk
Provides advice and information leaflets about diabetes and driving.

Food Standards Agency

Aviation House, 125 Kingsway
London WC2B 6NH
Helpline: 020 7276 8829
Website: www.food.gov.uk
Advice on diet and health. Wide-ranging information on additives, contaminants and chemical safety.

INPUT

Tel: 01590 677911
Website: www.input.me.uk
Patient-led support group for people using insulin pumps to control their diabetes.

Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust

PO Box 294
Northampton NN1 4XS
Tel: 01604 622837
Website: www.iddtinternational.org
Charity supporting and campaigning on behalf of people with diabetes who experience problems when switching from one type of insulin to another; in particular champions the retention of animal insulin for those who may be intolerant of other, newer forms of insulin.

MedicAlert Foundation

1 Bridge Wharf, 156 Caledonian Road
London N1 9UU
Tel: 0800 581420
Textphone: 020 7490 8913
Website: www.medicalert.org.uk
A life-saving body-worn identification system for people with hidden medical conditions. The 24-hour emergency telephone number accepts reverse charge calls; can access personal details from anywhere in the world in over 100 languages. Offers selection of jewellery with internationally recognised medical symbol.

mobilise

Promoting mobility for disabled people
National Headquarters, Ashwellthorpe Norwich NR16 1EX
Tel: 01508 489449
Website: www.mobilise.info
Self-help association offering information and advice, and campaigning for independence through mobility with a wide range of services.

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)

MidCity Place, 71 High Holborn London WC1V 6NA
Tel: 0845 003 7780
Website: www.nice.org.uk
Provides national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill-health. Patient information leaflets are available for each piece of guidance issued.

NHS Direct

Tel: 0845 4647 (24 hours, 365 days a year)
Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Offers confidential health-care advice, information and referral service. A good first port of call for any health advice.

NHS Smoking Helpline

Freephone: 0800 022 4332 (7am–11pm, 365 days a year)
Website: www.gosmokefree.nhs.uk
Pregnancy smoking helpline: 0800 169 9169 (12 noon–9pm, 365 days a year)
Have advice, help and encouragement on giving up smoking. Specialist advisers available to offer ongoing support to those who genuinely are trying to give up smoking. Can refer to local branches.

Patients’ Association

PO Box 935
Harrow HA1 3YJ
Tel: 020 8423 9111
Helpline: 0845 608 4455
Website: www.patients-association.com
Provides advice on patients’ rights, leaflets and directory of self-help groups.

Quit (Smoking Quitlines)

211 Old Street
London EC1V 9NR
Tel: 020 7251 1551
Helpline: 0800 002200 (9am–9pm, 365 days a year)
Website: www.quit.org.uk
Scotland: 0800 848484
Wales: 0800 169 0169 (NHS)
Offers individual advice on giving up smoking in
English and Asian languages. Talks to schools on smoking and pregnancy and can refer to local support groups. Runs training courses for professionals.

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)

105 Judd Street London WC1H 9NE
Tel: 020 7388 1266
Helpline: 0303 123 9999 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, but Wed 9am–4pm)
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
Offers a range of information and advice on lifestyle changes and employment for people facing loss of sight. Also offers support and training in Braille. Has mail order catalogue of useful aids.

Weight Watchers

Millennium House, Ludlow Road Maidenhead SL6 2SL
Tel: 0845 345 1500
Website: www.weightwatchers.co.uk
Runs informal, yet structured, weekly meetings across the UK for people wanting to lose weight and learn more about living a healthy lifestyle. Guidance also available free with online programme.

BBC

www.bbc.co.uk/health
A helpful website: easy to navigate and offers lots of useful advice and information. Also contains links to other related topics.