CARE BREAKS
A limited fund exists to relieve full-time carers by
providing short term care for people of working age with
physical and sensory disabilities. If you normally live
at home and receive the high rate care component of
Disability Living Allowance you should be eligible. Ring
the NHS Independent Living Services nearest to your home:
CHIROPODY
Chiropodists are experts in conditions of the feet and
can often alert other professionals to the presence of
problems such as diabetes. They aim to prevent immobility
and treat people in specialist clinics, health centres,
hospitals, mobile units, or in people's own homes.
Various qualifications
apply to the supply of free NHS chiropody services.
For more information please contact your local surgery or
clinic.
COMMUNICATION
Speech and language therapy is available if you have
language articulation, voice and/or swallowing problems
resulting from illness, disease or injury.
For further information contact your local GP.
COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCIL
(CHC)
The Community Health Council (CHC) is an independent
organisation which monitors the level, range and quality
of local health services. They hold information on how to
reach all local health services. For more information
contact:
Bury St Edmunds Tel: 01284 761390
Ipswich/Suffolk Coastal Tel: 01473 226820
Lowestoft Tel: 01502 500635
COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC NURSES (CPNs)
Are Registered Mental Health Nurses who work with people
who have mental illness. This may involve giving advice
and information, monitoring symptoms or referral to more
specialist services. Initial referral is usually through
your GP.
CONTINENCE
Your GP, Community Nurse and Continence Advisers provide
care and support for people with continence problems.
Information and advice can be obtained in confidence from
The Continence Service, 120-122 High Street, Stalham,
Norwich, NR12 9AZ. Tel: 01692 583097
DENTAL SERVICES (NHS)
People who require NHS
dental treatment are now advised to register with an NHS
dentist in a similar way to how you register with your
GP.
Your Community Health Council has a list of local dentists who provide
NHS treatment. Your dentist should offer you a treatment
plan and an estimate of the costs before the treatment
goes ahead. Dentists can make home visits dependent on
the patient's disability and/or location. For more
information contact your dentist.
Advice and treatment
is also available from the Community Dental Service for
those with disabilities who are unable to obtain
treatment from a general dentist. If you have
difficulties contact your nearest clinic.
If you get Income
Support or are on a low income you may be able to get
help with dental and optician's charges. Forms are
available from the Department of Work
and Pensions,
dentists, opticians and Advice Centres etc.
DIETETIC SERVICES
The role of diet in both
health and illness is becoming increasingly recognised.
Within the NHS the Dieticians' work is mainly
educational, promoting health and preventing disease. For
information and access to services contact your GP.
DOCTORS (GPs)
Everyone is entitled to
register with a GP. Your GP has a key role to play in
offering continuity of care. To reach other NHS services
you often need a referral from your GP. For a list of the
full range of services your surgery can offer, ask for a
Practice leaflet.
If you have problems
in registering with a GP, contact Suffolk Health or the Community Health
Council.
EQUIPMENT
The NHS may supply you with
suitable equipment to assist you. Some equipment provided
is on short term loan to assist you on discharge from
hospital. An assessment will be carried out to ensure
that an appropriate piece of equipment is supplied. If
you have a need for equipment, contact a Community Nurse,
Physiotherapist or other Community Health Professional.
FAMILY PLANNING
Some family planning
services are available from your doctor. Family Planning
Clinics offer a full range of services including advice
on all sexual matters. Contact your local surgery or
clinic for details.
HEARING PROBLEMS
You should consult your
Doctor if you think you have hearing problems.
Your Doctor will be able to refer you to the Audiology
Department if necessary and/or to supply you with free
hearing aids. Aids, batteries and repairs are free under
the NHS.
HOME NURSING SERVICES
There are several nursing
services available:
Community Nurses If you have a longstanding illness
your local Community Nurse will advise you and
your carers on many health issues and assess your
nursing needs. Ring your Community Nurse at your
surgery.
Health Visitors As well as monitoring the health of
babies and young children, Health Visitors may,
following a referral, give information, guidance
and support on health and social matters to any
member of the family.
MacMillan Nurses offer advice and specialist support
to people with cancer who are newly diagnosed,
throughout their experience of the disease and to
those with advanced disease. MacMillan Nurses
will be of support to the whole family.
The Marie Curie Nurses provide support and care to relieve
those who are caring for people with cancer, for
whom there is no cure. For all these services,
contact your surgery
Paediatric Nursing Team supports families and cares for
children with life threatening and life limiting
diseases. Contact the team by telephoning 01284
755086.
Private Nursing Agencies. There are also private care
agencies, see Yellow Pages under: Nurses'
Agencies & Care.
HOSPICE
CARE
FOR PEOPLE WITH LIFE THREATENING DISEASES
Patients can be either
cared for in their own homes with the support of their GP
and a team of nursing specialists or they can be cared
for in a hospice. Our health district has access to three
local hospices:
Contact your GP for
advice and information.
HOSPITAL CARE
If you have a disability
and are being admitted you may find it helpful to contact
the ward to discuss your individual needs prior to your
admission for treatment and care. You should be allowed
to take items of personal equipment into hospital which
will enable you to remain as independent as possible.
HOSPITAL FARES
These are available to
people on Income Support or on a low income who have to
travel to hospital for treatment or to visit a close
relative. Claims can be made at the hospital or through
the Department of Work
and Pensions.
Hospital car parking fees can also be refunded.
LEARNING DISABILITY
SERVICES
Assessment and treatment for people with learning
disabilities and additional health needs who meet Suffolk
Health's critieria for continuing health care.
NHS DIRECT
A 24 hour health helpline for advice on non-urgent
ailments and injuries.
Tel: 0845 4647.
NHS INDEPENDENT LIVING
SERVICE
Offers a comprehensive
service for disabled people of working age.
Use the service to:
Discuss respite care or complex
problems
Find out about available resources
Clarify access to Electronic
Assistive Technology Systems
Seek advice on health matters
Ring your nearest NHS
Independent Living Service:
NEUROLOGICAL SUPPORT
SERVICES
Services in East Suffolk
(based in Ipswich), West Suffolk (based in Bury St
Edmunds) and North Suffolk (based at Norwich Hospital)
offer emotional and practical support and information to
people who are diagnosed with neurological illnesses.
Both services specifically offer support at the time of
diagnosis to those with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's
and Motor Neurone diseases.
The West Suffolk service also offers longer term support
for other neurological conditions.
Bury St Edmunds Tel: 01284 725333
Ipswich Tel: 01473 604445
Norwich Tel: 01603 287267
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational Therapists are
employed by the NHS to help people who are temporarily or
permanently disabled to achieve maximum independence
whether at home or at work. A referral from your
consultant or GP is necessary.
Before leaving hospital you may be assessed by a team of
health care professionals who will offer advice according
to your needs and provide you with any equipment
essential to your discharge.
PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES
Prescriptions are dispensed
at local chemist shops. Additionally, your local
pharmacist or chemist may give advice on minor ailments
or health care problems. If you have mobility problems
your pharmacist may offer a home delivery service.
Alternatively, speak to your GP who may be able to offer
you advice and/or assistance.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
People with temporary or
permanent disabilities can be helped to achieve as active
a life as their disability allows. Treatment may be at a
clinic, day centre, hospital, or at home. You need a
referral from your Doctor for treatment.
PRIMARY CARE TRUST
The Primary Care Trust
looks at how the local NHS can be made more effective for
local people.
REHABILITATION
Rehabilitation is aimed at
helping people to become as independent as possible. A
team of medical, nursing and therapy (Occupational and
Physiotherapy) staff may be involved. Rehabilitation can
take place in specialist units or in the community.
Contact your GP for details.
SUFFOLK HEALTH AUTHORITY
Suffolk Health is
responsible for purchasing health services provided in
hospital, community and GP surgeries. For more
information telephone 01473 323323.
SUFFOLK HEALTH LINE
For information on general health problems and services.
Tel: 0800
665544
TRANSPORT
If you have a hospital or
clinic appointment and have problems getting there talk
to your doctor, who may be able to arrange suitable
transport either by ambulance or hospital car service.
These services are provided for elderly or disabled
people who are unable to use public transport and have no
family car available.
WHEELCHAIRS
Manually propelled
wheelchairs are available on permanent loan from the NHS
upon recommendation by your doctor, Occupational
Therapist or Physiotherapist. When upper limb mobility is
impaired, a powered indoor chair is provided. A limited
number of electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs
(EPIOCS) are available (subject to your meeting local
eligibility criteria) from the NHS. For more information
contact your local wheelchair service on:
Bury St Edmunds Tel: 01284 753234
Great Yarmouth and Wavevey Tel: 01493 452204
Ipswich Tel: 01473 692727
Repairs to NHS
wheelchairs are free.
Centres for Independent Living can also provide advice
regarding the private purchase of wheelchairs.
WHEN YOU LEAVE HOSPITAL
Before leaving hospital a
team of health professionals may assess you and advise
you according to your needs and provide you with
equipment essential for your discharge.
|
