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CARE BREAKS
If you provide substantial and regular care for a relative, partner or friend who has a long term physical and/or sensory disability, you can apply to this fund to take a break. The fund will pay for care for the person with a disability.
- East Suffolk & Waveney Tel: 01473 603645
- West Suffolk Tel: 01284 748841/748848
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 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 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 their Helpline: 0207 831 9831.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 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, Pension Credit or are on a low income you may be able to get help with dental and opticians 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 your local Primary Care Trust.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 Occupational Therapist.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.FLEXIBLE RESPITE PROJECT
Are you looking after someone at home with an illness or disability, who is 65 years old or over? Would you like a break? The Flexible Respite Project can pay for employed carers from Crossroads, Private Care Agencies, or informal private arrangements, to provide care at home to the person being cared for allowing you, the Family Carer, a much deserved, occasional break. These respite breaks are over and above any other regular respite that you may be receiving and are free of charge to you. For more information please contact Suffolk Family Carers on 01473 835407.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 (Care of the Dying)
Terminally ill 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 the following local hospices:
- All Hallows in Ditchingham. Tel: 01986 892728
- Ipswich
- Childrens Hospice, 6 Walker Close, IP3 8LY. Tel: 01473 714194
- St Elizabeth Hospice, 565 Foxhall Road, IP3 8LX. Tel: 01473 727776- St Nicholas Hospice, Bury St Edmunds. Tel: 01284 766133
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, Pension Credit (guarantee) or on a low income who have to travel to hospital for treatment. Claims can be made at the hospital if you receive Income Support, Pension Credit (guarantee) or a HC2/HC3 certificate and can show proof of this – eg your award letter or bank statement)
If you are disabled and have a low income, you can claim hospital fares using an HC1 form. Hospital car parking fees can also be refunded.
INDEPENDENT COMPLAINTS ADVOCACY SERVICE (ICAS)
The Independent Complaints Advocacy Service is an independent body that will deal with complaints against the NHS. Contact the service on 0845 4561084.LEARNING DISABILITY SERVICES
Assessment and treatment for people with learning disabilities and additional health needs who meet Suffolk Health's criteria for continuing health care.
- Ipswich
Contact: Paula Clark, Tel: 01473 275412- Lowestoft
Contact Jon Cullum, Tel: 01502 560111- Stourmead
Tel: 01440 715900NEUROLOGICAL 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. These 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. Contact the service on:
- Ipswich Tel: 01473 604445
- Bury St Edmunds Tel: 01284 748848
- Norwich Tel: 01603 287267
NHS DIRECT
A 24 hour health helpline for advice on non-urgent ailments and injuries.
Tel: 0845 4647. Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.ukNHS 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:
- East & Mid Suffolk Tel: 01473 603645
- West Suffolk Tel: 01284 748841
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.PATIENT ADVICE AND LIAISON SERVICE (PALS)
Each NHS Trust has a Patient Advice and Liaison Service. It is a free, confidential, information service, set up to try to smooth your journey through what can sometimes seem a confusing health system. The service is there to help you, your carer, friends or relatives find the information you need so that you are able to make informed choices about your care.Suffolk PCT Tel: 0800 389 6819
East Anglian Ambulance Trust Tel: 0800 028 3382
Ipswich Hospital Tel: 0800 328 7624
James Paget Hospital Tel: 01493 452651
Waveney & Gt Yarmouth PCT Tel: 01502 719501
West Suffolk Hospital Tel: 01284 712555
PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT FORA
These are independent bodies that monitor the level, range and quality of local health services. For more information contact: Suffolk ACRE on 01473 242500.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 TRUSTS
These look at how the local health services can be made more effective for local people and have patient liaison services to help resolve complaints.
- Suffolk Tel: 01473 770000
- Waveney & Great Yarmouth Tel: 01502 719500
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.The ICANHO Rehabilitation Centre Chilton Way, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1SZ. Tel: 01449 774161. A comprehensive co-ordinated day rehabilitation service for adults with acquired brain injury.
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 748843
- Great Yarmouth and Waveney Tel: 01493 452204
- Ipswich Tel: 01473 692727
Repairs to NHS wheelchairs are free.
Wheelchair Repair Service for all of Suffolk Tel: 01206 251040
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.