Information and advice
Patients, families and carers should first seek help and advice from the patient’s GP, consultant or care coordinator.
These organisations can provide additional information, support and advice.
NHS Choices
NHS Choices is the online ‘front door’ to the NHS. It is the country’s biggest health website and gives all the information you need to make choices about your health.
Information on NHS Choices is available in multiple languages. The translation tool can be found at the top of the webpage.
NHS Direct
The national healthline, providing expert health advice, information and reassurance.
Telephone 0845 4647 (calls charged at local rates)
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Carers Direct
Carers Direct provides information, advice and support for carers.
Telephone 0808 802 0202 (calls are free)
Open Monday – Friday from 9am to 8pm
Open Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm
Dying Matters
Set up by the National Council for Palliative Care (NCPC), the coalition aims to promote awareness of dying, death and bereavement. Their website has a comprehensive support section.
NHS Local
NHS Local has a section on end of life, including contact details for helpful organisations, suggestions of issues you may need to think about at end of life and videos people have sent in listing 5 things they want to do before they die.
Carers Information
This website aims to deliver up to date resources and information on issues relevant to carers and those professionals who assist them in their role.
Caring with Confidence
The Caring with Confidence website is part of the New Deal for Carers: an initiative aimed at improving support for carers.
Help the Hospices
Help the Hospices is the leading charity supporting hospice care throughout the UK.
Helpline 020 7520 8222
Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
HealthTalkOnline
Includes information on palliative care and is aimed at patients, carers and professionals. The site features interviews with patients and carers from a broad range backgrounds about their experiences of illness, treatment and being a carer.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support provides practical, medical and financial support to people whose lives are affected by cancer.
National Cancer Line – 0808 808 2020 (calls are free)
Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm
Specialist cancer nurse – 0808 800 1234 (calls are free)
Open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Provides free nursing care to cancer patients and those with other terminal illnesses in their own homes.
Samaritans
Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Telephone 08457 90 90 90 (landline calls charged at local rates)
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Crossroads Care
Crossroads Care provides services through our network of local providers, each of which offers a variety of support services for carers
Age UK
As well as providing information and advice, Age UK also offers a range of practical aids to assist people at home. These range from stairlifts, through personal alarms to fitness DVDs.
Compassionate Communities
This website aims to
- help people develop the skills to address issues raised by end of life and other losses
- be a helpful, empathic ear.
Your contributions welcomed.
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