Useful links, self help groups and organistations
About the NHS & Health information
nhsdirect.nhs.uk - all the health information you need in one website.
Health encyclopaedia search - find a topic or put in your own search.
www.nhs.uk - everything you ever wanted to know about the NHS.
NHS walk-in centres
No appointment necessary, just
walk in. The nearest centre to Stockport is the Wythenshawe Forum , Open Monday to Friday: 8am - 6pm,
weekend & all bank holidays: 8am - 9pm. For more information call
0161 435 3694 or visit their website to identify your nearest centre.
Stockport Primary Care Trust (PCT)
Stockport PCT
works with the local community and health partners, for example, doctors, dentists, opticians and pharmacists, hospitals and social services, to deliver health services that are responsive to the needs of local people.
Alcohol¦ Arthritis ¦ Blood ¦ Cancer ¦ Carers ¦Childcare ¦
Diabetes ¦ Diet ¦
Disability ¦ Drugs ¦ Heart ¦
Sexual Health ¦
Sight ¦ Smoking ¦ Stroke
Alcohol
Alcoholics Anonymous helps other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Contact their national helpline on 0845 769 7555
or the following local offices.
Manchester - 0161 236 6569 - 11am - 11pm daily. Answering machine at other times.
Cheshire and North Wales - 01244 659759 - 8am - 9pm daily. Answer machine at other times.
Arthritis
Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) is a major medical research charity and the largest funder of research into arthritis in the UK.
Blood
The National Blood Service offers advice on ways to help and how to search for your nearest blood donor session.
Cancer
Macmillan Cancer Relief: Macmillan Cancer Relief helps from the start providing expert information with practical and emotional support.
Carers
Signpost is an independent
charity which provides free, confidential information to unpaid carers of all
ages and ethnicity, and professionals who work with carers, in the Stockport
area.
Childcare
Sure Start aims to provide a sure start for every child by delivering a joined-up approach to childcare, early years education and family and health support. It supports all young families - from pregnant mothers to those with children up to 14.
Diabetes
Diabetes UK is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition.
Diet
Visit the eat well, be well and keep food safe websites for more information. A healthy diet contains lots of fruit and vegetables; is based on starchy foods such as wholegrain bread, pasta and rice; and is low in fat (especially saturated fat), salt and sugar.
Disability
Disability Stockport is an umbrella organisation for groups and individuals with an interest in disability matters.
Drugs
FRANK offers free confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day. Call 0800 77 66 00.
Heart
British Heart Foundation helpline contact - 08450 70 80 70.
Sight
The RNIB (Royal Institute for the Blind), is the UK’s leading charity, offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight problems. If you or someone you know has a sight problem, contact their Helpline on
0845 766 9999.
Sexual Health
Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM)
is based in Outpatients department B. Make an appointment on 0161 419 5370 / 5371 or speak to our health advisors in confidence on 0161 419 5377 or 5378.
The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) also offers confidential services, support and advice.
Smoking
The
Go Smokefree website
contains detailed information about the free NHS support services, and videos from real quitters talking about what worked for them.
Stockport Stop Smoking Service can be contacted on 0161 426 5085. If you have a question about health issues or stopping smoking you can speak to an adviser by calling the
free NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0169. They can also give you the phone number of your local stop smoking service. You may also be able to access
stop smoking services through your GP practice, midwife or pharmacist. Most stop smoking services involve working with a trained adviser, either one-to-one or as part of a group.
Stroke
The Stroke Association is the
only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all
ages. Helpline: 0845 3033 100 (calls charged at local rate) open Monday to
Friday, 9am - 5pm or e-mail info@stroke.org.uk